But going by the figures from countries outside the region, Ethiopia is still doing fine. In the just ended fiscal year, the number of tourists who arrived in the country improved compared to the first and second quarters of the fiscal year, according to Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which is headed by Dr. Hirut Woldemariam.
The amount is announced in a year when the country is under a state of emergency, which has affected the hospitality industry. During the first quarter of the just ended fiscal year, the hotel industry lost over 380 million Br in three months after the state of emergency was declared, according to the Addis Ababa Hotel Owners Trade Sectoral Association.
As a result, the number of tourists who visited the country fluctuated during the past quarters. During the first quarter, about 233 thousand tourists came to the country but the number declined to 206 thousand in the second, but again went up to 247 thousand by the third quarter.
At least 88 thousand foreign tourists visited Ethiopia each month. And over 84 thousand foreign nationals attended conferences in Ethiopia last year.
