ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIALS AND CHALLENGES OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM IN THE CASE OF LIBOKEMKEM WOREDA, SOUTH GONDER ZONE SENIOR RESEARCH PROJECT

Abstract

The main purpose of the research was to assess religious tourism potential and challenges of Libokemkem Woreda, in south Gondar Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. The total of 30respondents found in and adjacent to the attraction were selected purposively for the survey.Data were collected through direct observation, interview and semi structured questioner and by managing secondary data. Categorical, explanatory and descriptive method of qualitative data analysis technique was employed for data interpretation. Three major religious resources were identified as potential attraction for religious tourism development in the study area. Resources such as a history of the cave of Endrias, Tara monastery and Teklehymanot cave were being utilized by and rated as attractive resources by the majority of tourists. Lack of infrastructure, Lack of local communities’ participation in tourism resources management, lack of promotion, Poor Religious festivals management, lack of effective tourism planning and shortage of educated man power were identified as a major challenge for religious tourism development in the study area. Hence, the findings of the study revealed that there is huge potential of tourism resource exhibited in the study area which can be one of the best tourism destinations in Ethiopia. However, now a day, those tourism potential resources are facing aggravating challenges. Therefore, the sector stakeholders should give clear priority for those tourism resources.