Potentials and Challenges to Heritage Tourism Development: The Case of Tedbabe Mariam Church, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper is intended to assess potentials and challenges of heritage tourism development in Tedbabe Mariam church. Qualitative research approach was employed to collect data from local community elders, Amhara Sayint culture and tourism office employees, servants and leaders of Tedbabe Mariam church, Amhara Sayint diocese, South Wollo Zone culture and tourism department employees selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Both primary and secondary sources were used to assess potentials and challenges of heritage tourism development in Tedbabe Mariam church. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews, personal observation and focus group discussion whilst published and unpublished documents were employed as secondary sources. Results revealed that long history, mural paintings, tombs of saints, treasury house with collections of parchment manuscripts, crosses, icons, umbrella, and crowns were potentials of heritage tourism development in Tedbabe Mariam church. Despite Tedbabe Mariam church has such huge heritage tourism potentials, it has not yet been properly conserved and utilized due to poor handling system and lack of well-organized museum, underdeveloped infrastructure, lack of skilled manpower, lack of promotion and awareness, theft and illicit trafficking, and lack of documentation.