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Walia Special Edition on the Bale Mountains (2011) - Zoologische ...

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assist with implementati<strong>on</strong> of <strong>the</strong> tourism programme. In additi<strong>on</strong> new partnerships have been and<br />

c<strong>on</strong>tinue to be formed with <strong>the</strong> Farm Africa/SOS Sahel <strong>Bale</strong> Eco-regi<strong>on</strong> Sustainable Management<br />

Project, TESFA and ESTA in helping BMNP to develop its tourism potential and to increase benefits<br />

to communities through tourism.<br />

Objective 1: Diverse and ecologically and culturally sensitive tourism provisi<strong>on</strong> developed in<br />

BMNP in partnership with local communities, <strong>the</strong> private sector and government<br />

Background: To date, a corporate image for <strong>the</strong> BMNP has been developed using <strong>on</strong>e of its flagship<br />

species, <strong>the</strong> Mountain nyala, which is used <strong>on</strong> all materials, signs and publicati<strong>on</strong>s c<strong>on</strong>cerned with<br />

<strong>the</strong> BMNP. Plans for a new interpretati<strong>on</strong> centre are underway but <strong>the</strong> building design still needs to<br />

be agreed. A tourism expert has been sec<strong>on</strong>ded to identify <strong>the</strong> tourism products and service potential<br />

of <strong>the</strong> BMNP. Partnerships developed with ESTA has resulted in investment brokers promoting<br />

BMNP as a potential site to private lodge investors. Training has been provided to <strong>the</strong> Nyala<br />

Guides Associati<strong>on</strong> in basic tourism service provisi<strong>on</strong> and in flora and fauna identificati<strong>on</strong>. Plans<br />

are underway to develop a number of community associati<strong>on</strong>s such as cooking associati<strong>on</strong>s and a<br />

woman’s local craft and curios associati<strong>on</strong>.<br />

Activities and Resources Required: The main activity needed to achieve this objective is to<br />

develop a tourism strategic and marketing plan. An internati<strong>on</strong>al c<strong>on</strong>sultant tourism development<br />

expert should be hired to develop this. This plan will also aid in developing niche based tourism.<br />

O<strong>the</strong>r large investments needed for this programme are to produce interpretative materials for <strong>the</strong><br />

interpretati<strong>on</strong> centre to be built under <strong>the</strong> GMPs outreach programme, and to increase tourism<br />

infrastructure by placing basic facilities at campsites throughout <strong>the</strong> park and building some basic<br />

mountain huts. Lastly, fur<strong>the</strong>r training as needed will be provided to <strong>the</strong> service providers. Optimal<br />

and critical funding needed to achieve <strong>the</strong>se activities over <strong>the</strong> five years have been identified as<br />

ETB 1,997,628 and ETB 1,059,577, respectively.<br />

Objective 2: Efficient, effective and resp<strong>on</strong>sive tourism management systems that provide and<br />

enhanced visitor experience, devised and maintained<br />

Background: Up until recently few to no records of tourists visiting <strong>the</strong> BMNP were available<br />

apart from receipts. A visitor registrati<strong>on</strong> book has been implemented al<strong>on</strong>g with trip evaluati<strong>on</strong><br />

questi<strong>on</strong>naires. Some customer care training has been provided to BMNP staff working in tourism<br />

and park regulati<strong>on</strong>s have been drawn up for tourists. A private c<strong>on</strong>cessi<strong>on</strong> agreement has been<br />

developed for <strong>the</strong> privatizati<strong>on</strong> of Dinsho Lodge. A tourism database has been developed whereby<br />

data from tourist records and visitor feedback questi<strong>on</strong>naires can be stored and analyzed.<br />

<str<strong>on</strong>g>Walia</str<strong>on</strong>g>-<str<strong>on</strong>g>Special</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Editi<strong>on</strong></str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Bale</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong> 289

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