Challenges and Prospects of Community Based Ecotourism Development in Lake Zengena and its environs, North West Ethiopia.

Abstract

The research focused on the challenges and prospects of Community Based Ecotourism (CBET) development in Lake Zengena and its environs, Banja Woreda. Awi Nationality Administration has used both quantitative and qualitative approaches employing purposive and simple random sampling. The study used a total of 110 samples to conduct and survey data based on primary and secondary data sources through different instruments including questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussion, field observation and literature review. As a result, this study revealed that Lake Zengena and its environs is not only endowed with natural tourism resources but it is also endowed with a wide range of rich cultural tourism resources. The study also found that the area has many challenges that hinder CBET development. The major hindrances identified include minimal government and stakeholder participation, poor infrastructure, lack of financial support, lack of skilled man power, and the use of lake as a source of "Holly Water" by the church. On the other hand, diverse tourism resources, good accessibility to the main asphalted road, the location of the pathway to the historic route and to the Ethiopian Great Renaissance Dam and the proximity to different destinations were the major opportunities identified. The study stresses that the local community needs to be involved in a range of activities so as to enhance locals’ livelihood and more especially, to conserve the environment. Thus, a good tourism development plan along with a sound tourism policy have to be developed in order to utilize the area’s huge potential and to make the local communities beneficiaries of the development through engagement with the major challenges.