Ethiopia’s tourism sector has registered significant growth, bringing in over $5 billion in revenue during the recently concluded fiscal year.

Addressing the sector's performance, Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa revealed that more than 1.6 million foreign tourists visited the country over the past year. She explained that this represents an increase of over 300,000 visitors and a more than 21 percent boost in foreign exchange earnings compared to the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year.

The announcement highlighted tourism’s broader impact as one of the world's fastest-growing industries, playing a vital role in supporting national economies, showcasing cultural heritage, and strengthening ties among peoples. Global data also points to the sector as a primary engine of international job creation.

With the traditional festival season now underway during the months of Meskerem and Tikimt (September and October), domestic tourism is receiving a major boost, backed by ongoing infrastructure preparations.

Meanwhile, targeted efforts to expand Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism have yielded striking results. The number of international events hosted annually in Addis Ababa surged to 220 over the past year, up from just 30 to 40 in previous years.

To build on this momentum, the ministry is collaborating with Ethiopian Airlines to promote stopover tourism by offering a 7-day complimentary visa to the more than 20 million passengers transiting through Bole International Airport each year.