Abstract:
The project aims to enhance sustainable Tourism development through capacitating employees of Bale Zone and
its 18 woredas culture and tourism offices who have a great role for in the entire tourism system, with a direct
contribution in tourism destination development thereby improving the contribution of tourism for the local and
national economic development so as to alleviate the widespread poverty.The tourism sector lacks well-trained
intermediate-level staff: insufficient basic knowledge and skills in tourist products and services, target areas,
marketing, sales, customer orientation, electronic data processing and computerized booking and reservation
systems are often -cited weaknesses. So as to solve such problems and equip employees with specific skills and
competences, the project tried to give training on issues: conservation and management of cultural heritage
attractions, tourism destination management, tourism destination planning, marketing and promotion of tourism
attractions, booking and reservation, principles of travel agency and tour operation, museum management and
interpretation, tourism product development, customer care and service.Strategies and measures designed to
upgrade skills in the tourism industry show a trend towards more holistic solutions based on partnerships and
dialogue between training institutions (universities), the tourism industry and other major stakeholders that go
beyond training and regard in a wider sense “learning”, clearly combining teaching and practical experience
elements.The project is expected to bring significant impacts such as conservation of environment, destination,
wildlife and culture; community development and better livelihood; destination reputation (i.e. good promotion
and marketing) and visitor flow increment; formulation of community based sustainable tourism development
strategies and destinations management plan, involvement of local people in tourism activities and having sense
of tourism resource owner ship, and sustainable tourism development
