The South Ethiopia regional Culture and Tourism Bureau announced that the region has generated more than 500 million Birr from domestic and international tourists who visited its attractions.

Woynitu Melku, head of the bureau, stated that the region is actively working to develop and promote its tourist sites. She said that efforts to increase tourist flow by developing and promoting previously neglected historical, cultural, and natural attractions are showing positive results.

Woynitu specifically noted that the improved peace and stability in the region has contributed to the increase in tourist numbers and growing revenue from the sector.

In the fiscal year that just ended, the region earned 546 million Birr from tourism, surpassing its planned target. The bureau head added that traditional and public festivals celebrated in the region have also played a significant role in attracting more tourists.

Among the notable tourist attractions in the South Ethiopia region are the Maze, Omo, Mago, and Nechisar National Parks. Other sites include the unique landscapes of Konso and Gedeo, the rich cultures of the region's ethnic groups, and the Lower Omo Valley heritage site. Additionally, the traditional festivals and music of the various ethnic groups are known to captivate tourists, ENA reported.