Journal of Exclusive Management Science – May 2018 - Vol 7 Issue 05 – ISSN 2277-5684

Community Based Ecotourism as a Sustainable Tourism Development Option in Tis Abay,

Ethioipa
Yetnayet Getu Worku and Getaneh Addis Tessema
Leturer, Bahir Dar University, College of Business and Economics, Department of Tourism and Hotel
Management, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Abstract
Community Based Ecotourism, as one form of sustainable tourism, is being used by many developing
countries to benefit the local communities and the environment. The purpose of this study is to assess the
potential of CBET as an option for sustainable tourism development in Tis Abay area, Ethiopia. The study
is descriptive in its design. The researchers used semi-structured in-depth interviews, questionnaires, field
observations and document analysis as data collection instruments. The sampling technique was non-
probability sampling. The sample size for interview was 20, selected from different stakeholders of
tourism. In addition, 51 tourists were selected for the questionnaire survey. The qualitative data gathered
were coded, narrated and described while the quantitative data were analyzed through simple descriptive
statistics such as percentages and frequencies. The study found that the destination has high potential for
CBET development, and it can indeed be a sustainable tourism development option in the town of Tis
Abay. To introduce CBET in the town of Tis Abay, concerned stakeholders, mainly government, local
communities, private sector and NGOs shall work in close collaboration.
Key words: Community Based Ecotourism, Local Community, Sustainable Tourism Development,
Tis Abay.
1. Introduction
Travel and tourism is one of the world‟s fastest growing industries and a major source of foreign
exchange earnings for many developing countries (UNWTO, 2002). The increasing economic importance
of tourism has captured the attention of many countries. However, the global growth of tourism poses a
significant threat to cultural and biological diversity. Hence, sustainable types of tourism such as
ecotourism and communitye based tourism and community based ecotourism were developed.
According to Diamantis (1999), the term „ecotourism‟ emerged in the late 1980‟s as a direct result of the
world‟s acknowledgement and reaction to sustainable practices and global ecological practices.
Lucchetti (2013) also argues that Community Based Tourism was born as an alternative approach to
mass tourism, leakage as a result of Multinational Enterprises and other impacts in destinations.
The concept of Community Based Ecotourism (CBET) is the combination of both ecotourism and
community based tourism. According to Sproule (1995), CBET refers to ecotourism enterprises that are
owned and managed by the community. Hence, CBET involves conservation, business enterprise and
community development. According to WWF (2001:2), communty based ecotourism is defined as “a
form of ecotourism where the local community has substantial control over, and involvement in, its
development and management, and a major proportion of the benefits remain within the community”.
The CBET approach is a response to the rising criticism of the negative impact of mass tourism and the
abuse of the term “ecotourism” (Ping, undated). CBET appears to be the most successful form of
sustainable tourism because it meets the societal request for a respectful form of tourism that will bring
economic, social, and ethical added value (Mazuel, 2003:333; cited in Fiorello and Bo, 2012). Strong
arguments have been advanced in support of ecotourism playing a central role in conservation and
rural development in Sub-Saharan Africa (Manu, 2012).
Though Ethiopia has high potential for CBET, the concept and practice is not still given emphasis, and
the country is not gaining the benefits from the sector.. Bahir and its surroundings, including Tis Abay,
are not exceptional from this. There has been certain studies by different scholars about Tourism in
Bahir Dar and its environs. The focus of these studies is related to Lake Tana and tourism potentials
(Getinet, 2005), Community Empowerment and its Contribution to Sustainable Tourism Development
in Zegie Peninsula (Alubel, 2011), Challenges and Opportunities of Sustainable Tourism Development in
Bahir Dar and its Environs (Yetnayet, 2012), Tourism and the Local Economy (Getaneh, 2012) and
Ecotourism in Lake Tana Region, Ethiopia- potentials for the implementation of Community-Based
Ecotourism (Sefrin, 2012). These studies are conducted either in a different location (not in Tis Abay) or
are too general in their coverage (both geographic and thematic areas). Hence, there is no
comprehensive study about the potentials of CBET as an option of sustainable tourism development in
and around Tis Abay.
Tis Abay Water Falls, as a core attraction of the small town of Tis Abay, has huge potential for
ecotourism practices. There are a number of tourists, domestic and international, who flock to the
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 Journal of Exclusive Management Science – May 2018 - Vol 7 Issue 05 – ISSN 2277-5684

destination each year. However, tourism development is spontaneous. This has resulted to insignificant
economic, socio-cultural and environmental contribution of tourism development to the destination.
There has been a study by Sefrin (2012) on “Ecotourism in Lake Tana Region, Ethiopia –potentials for
the implementation of Community-Based Ecotourism”. The study has tried to assess ecological and
socio-cultural backgrounds, macro-economic, political and technological frames for tourism. It has also
tried to see local accesses to tourism markets for two tourism businesses: souvenirs and tour guiding.
The tourism development analysis by Sefrin (2012) focuses only on souvenir vendors and local tour
guides, and there is failure to clearly show what these stakeholders are (and will be) doing which are
important for developing Cmmunity Based Ecotourism as a sustainable tourism development option.
As a result, this study came up with a comprehensive study of the potentials to develop Community
Based Ecotourism as an option of sustainable tourism development by including more actors and
stakeholders as subjects, and through a deep understanding of the tourism resources and the local
community, in and around Tis Abay.The main objective of this study is to assess the potentials of
Cmmunity Based Ecotourism as an option of sustainable tourism development in Tis Abay. The study
will specifically deal with identifying the capacities of locals for Community Based Ecotourism
development; exploring the existing and potential tourist attractions; and identifying the challenges for
developing Cmmunity Based Ecotourism.
2. Literature Review
2.1 Why Community Based Ecotourism?
Community Based Ecotourism is one form of sustainable tourism, and hence brings indispensible
socio-cultural, environmental and economic benefits to a destination if developed and managed well.
The concept of Community Based Ecotourism development is crucial for small, rural and remote
communities that often suffer from the lack of governmental attention and assistance (Manu and
Kuuder, 2012). CBET clearly has the potential to supplement local household incomes directly and
indirectly through the creation of more local opportunities and jobs (Cambodia Development Review,
2013). Further arguments are that CBET provides a more sustainable form of livelihoods for local
communities and generate more goodwill towards, and local benefit from, conservation measures such
as protected areas (Funnell and Bynoe, 2007). By encouraging both ecological sustainability and
grassroots development, Community Based Ecotourism offers hope that the environmental sensitivity
and responsibility promoted by ecotourism can also serve the political, economic, and social interests of
host communities (Kontogeorgopoulos, 2005).
Okazaki (2008) reviewed the works of various researchers and reached to the conclusion that the
community-based approach, despite the implementation barriers, is still the best course of action due
to various reasons. First, local issues have a direct influence on the tourist experience. Second, the
image of tourism is based on the assets of the local community. Third, public involvement functions as
a driving force to protect the community‟s natural environment and culture as tourism products, while
simultaneously encouraging greater tourism-related income. Fourth, because the tourism industry is
sensitive to both internal and external forces, many tourism development plans are often only partially
implemented or not at all.
With a growing interest to spend leisure time in nature and increasing awareness of environmentalism,
ecotourism has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism industry (United Nations,
2001). According to Sefrin (2012), market assessments show the growing demand and relevance of
sustainable forms of tourism in the global tourism industry. Forms of sustainable tourism such as
ecotourism and community-based tourism are among the sectors expected to grow most quickly over
the next two decades (TIES, 2006: 2; cited in Sefrin, 2012:3). According to Fiorello and Bo (2012),
Community Based Ecotourism is the best to compromise between tourists‟ and communities‟
expectations.
2.2 The Capacities and Participation of locals in CBET
Community participation in the tourism initiative is central to all the definitions, ranging from
cooperative or individually owned and managed businesses to joint ventures between the community
and the private sector (Lucchetti, 2013). Community based ecotourism strives to merge the
sustainability and conservation essential to ecotourism with the benefits, control, involvement, and
welfare that underpin community development (Kontogeorgopoulos, 2005). Ideally, community
participation should lead to community economic development which „calls for citizens to shape their
local economies by influencing the type of business, industry, and employment opportunities in their
own backyards‟ (Roseland, 2005; cited in Sebele, 2010).

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Community participation results in better decisions, since decisions that involve the whole community
members are likely to be acceptable to them (Thomas, 2013). He further stated that community
participation promotes dignity and taps the knowledge and resources of individual citizens within the
community, which will help contribute to a better solution to problems confronting the community.
Given their knowledge, local wisdom, and sense of ownership, the local people immediately become the
best protectors of the resources on which the industry relies (Ping, undated).
CBET includes identification, development and marketing of local tourism products by local
communities (Kiss 2004; Jones 2005; cited in Gurung and Scholz, 2008). Ping (undated) studied
Community Based Ecotourism in Northern Thailand and identified three types of institutional
arrangements in which the community can participate in ecotourism. These are purely community
owned and managed enterprises, enterprises owned by family or group initiatives within the
communities, and joint venture between a community or family and an outside business partner.
2.3 The role of stakeholders for developing CBET
Stakeholders are organizations, individuals and institutions directly or indirectly involved in
development, operation and management of community-based ecotourism projects. Tourism is complex
and dynamic, with linkages and independencies and therefore requires multiple stakeholders with
diverse and divergent views and values. Stakeholders assume collective responsibilities for the ongoing
directions and success of any ecotourism establishment (Gray, 1989; cited in Manu, 2012). Cusack and
Dixon (2006), described that, although its appropriateness must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis,
ecotourism is often in the common interest of local, national, and international stakeholders.
Rutten (2004) stated that the foundation for a partnership is the sharing of skills and resources in order
to plan for and deliver successful ecotourism in practice. Since tourism is dependent on many external
factors, partnerships ought to involve multiple stakeholders (Jamal & Getz, 1995; cited in Okazaki,
2008), featuring public–private sector partnerships (Vellas, 2002; cited in Okazaki, 2008), community–
private sector partnerships (Ashley & Jones, 2001; cited in Okazaki, 2008), cross-sectoral planning
(Wahab & Pigram, 1997; cited in Okazaki, 2008), shared decision-making processes (Williams et al.,
1998; cited in Okazaki, 2008), and aim to bridge cultural distinctions (Robinson, 1999; cited in
Okazaki, 2008). Collaboration is crucial in securing benefits and solving problems among stakeholders
(Gray, 1985; cited in Okazaki, 2008).
2.4 Challenges for Developing CBET
Though Community Based Ecotourism plays a significant role for sustainable tourism development by
satisfying the needs of the local communities, tourists and the environment, there are several factors
affecting its development. According to Autthapon & Suthida (2010; Manu, 2012), the following critical
factors have been noted as constraints for the progress of poverty alleviation through community-based
ecotourism (Manu, 2012): (a) limited access of the poor to the tourism market; (b) lack of commercial
viability for their product in terms of value and price; (c) weak marketing capability; (d) lack of
intergovernmental suitable policy framework and (e) inadequate knowledge about tourism and service
skill, managing and implementing at local level. Likewise, according to WWF (2001), the main reason
why many community-based ecotourism projects have failed is that they have not attracted a sufficient
number of visitors. Often, assumptions made about the marketability of a particular location or
experience has been unrealistic and not based on research.
Ondicho (2012), also expressed that integration of national policies concerning rural development and
ecotourism is often a challenge to the success of community-based ecotourism in developing countries
(Foucat, 2002; cited in Cusack and Dixon, 2006). As Cusack and Dixon (2006), lack of government
regulation, which is one obstacle for the success of ecotourism, is considered to be the result of poor
coordination between different government departments. Furthermore, in his study of CBET in
Northern Thailand, Ping (undated:7-8) found three main barriers to the CBET development, which are:
lack of rights and authority of local community in resource management, ineffective marketing and
random market and lack of human resources.
3. Research Methodology
3.1 The Study Area
Tis Abay is located about 35kms Southeast of Bahir Dar City, capital of Amhara region. It’s organized in
15 „GOTS’(ጎጥ-amharic)-adminstrative areas. As a result, there are 15 gots in Tis Abay. According to Tis
Abay Agriculture office report (2015), 60% of the area of Tis Abay is flat, and the remaining 40% is
mountainuous. From the total land of the kebele, 2279 ha is arable; 590 ha is for grazing; and 290.5 ha
is communal. 184 ha of the 2279 ha arable land is irrigable. The climate of the kebele falls in the „kolla‟
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zone. The area is home to the Blue Nile Falls, the 17th century Fasiledas bridge and other important
attractions.

Fig: 3.1 Map of the study area

3.2 Research Instrument
The research strategy chosen for this study is a descriptive study. This design helps to explain the
existing situtation in the destination under study and is hence appropriate for our study. The
researchers employed semi-structured in-depth interviews, questionnaire, field observation and
document analysis to gather the necessary data for accomplishing the study. The main reserach
instrument to get insights for the research was interview. In addition, the researchers had periodic field
visits to the study area and stayed there for certain days during each visit, and hence have observations
and insights about the study area. The researchers also consulted relevant documents for successful
accomplishment of the study and conducted questionnaire survey.
3.3 Subjects of the study
The study had multiple subjects as source of data. These include officials and experts from Amhara
National Regional State Culture and Tourism Bureau and Bahir Dar City Administration Office, an
environmental expert from Bahir Dar University, agricultural experts, credit institutions, kebele
adminstrators, people engaged in tourism businesses, church adminstartors and tourists. All
respondents except tourists were subjects of interviews.
3.4 Sampling Technique and Sample Size
The sampling method applied in this research is purposive sampling. Samples were selected from
subjects listed above based on their experise, knowledge, exposure, experience and nearness to the
study (convenience). The sample size used for interview were 20 subjects, selected based on the concept
of theoretical saturation.
Sample for questionniare survey has been determined from the total population. According to TIC
report (2014), the last 5 year average tourist arrivals to the town of Tis Abay is 43,012. Cochran
(1963) sample size determination technique, the sample size is 99.
n= N were n is sample size, N is total population & e is error term (10%)
1+N(e)2
From this sample size, the researchers distributed only 60 quiestionnaires due to the low visitor arrivals
during the period of study. Out of this, 51 quiestionnaires (85%) were correctly filled and collected, and
were the subjects of analysis. As much of the research data were collected through interview, the visitor
survey were used for supplementary purposes.
3.5 Method of Data Analysis
The qualitative data collected were processed through comparison, coding and creating categories and
finally narrated. Quantitative data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics such as percentages
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and frequencies.
4. Discussion of Findings
4.1 Background of Respondents
From the total of 51 respondents, 35 were males. In terms of nationality, it consisted of 21 Ethiopians,
8 British, 7 Americans, 4 spanish, 3 French, and the remaining Danish, German and Japanese. 44 of
the respondents have diploma and above educational qualification.
4.2 Tourism Business Practice
Although there is certain fluctuations, on average, the tourist flow of Tis Abay is increasing from time to
time.

Fig: Trends of tourist flow to Tis Abay (Source: Report of Tourist Information Center in Tis Abay, 2015)
As the graph above clearly shows, the domestic tourists outnumber those of foreign tourists. However, if
we look at the fluctuations in tourist flows, it is higher in domestic than foreign tourist flow. The highest
number of domestic and foreign tourists were registered in 2008 and 2012, respectively. Overall, the
highest tourist flow to the town was in the year 2010. The decrease in foreign tourist arrivals in 2014
may be because of the disease Ebola and other related factors.
Although there is certain fluctuations like in the arrivals, on average, the tourist receipts from entrance
fees for Tis Abay is increasing from time to time. The graph illustrates the receipts from tourists for 18
years.

Fig: Tourist revenue generated in Tis Abay (Source: Report of Tourist Information Center in Tis Abay,
2015)
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The receipts from foreign tourists is far more than that of domestic ones. This is mainly because of the
difference in entrance fee: foreign tourists pay higher entrance fee than domestic ones. In addition,
certain groups of domestic tourists visit attractions free of charge by showin cooperation letters. In
order to develop tourist destinations, whether CBET or other forms of tourism, there is a need to
undertake investment in tourism infrastructure and products development. However, in Tis Abay, the
goverment and other stakeholders did not give the necessary attention and make investment. The
existing business development seems spontaneous. Local communities are engaged in tour guiding,
restaurants and cafes, local drink houses, souvenir shops, boat service and coffee houses. However,
these products and services have the limitations of quality and diversity, and most of them cannot
satisfy the needs of tourists. In addition, there are also unethical business practices like hassle and
overcharging of tourists. The people who participate in these businesses are very few. Furthermore,
many foreign tourists come via travel agents and tour operators, and the length of stay of tourists is
very short. On average, tourists spend 3hrs exploring Fasiledas bridge, Blue Nile Fall and other cultural
activities. This may result in failure to participate in shopping and other activities which might had
benefits the destination.
4.3 The Capacities and participation of Locals in Community Based Ecotourism Development
Participation of locals in a number of economic activity can enhance their experience and finacial
capacity to run CBET business. The local people in Tis Abay town and its surroundong are engaged in
agriculture, trade, tourism and other service providing activities. The main economic activity for Tis
Abay and its surrounding is, however, agriculture. The area has rich potential for agricultural products.
This can enhance the capacity of locals to participate in CBET. In addition, it is also an important input
for CBET enterprises, and farmers can benefit from the tourism-agriculture linkage. People who are
providing products and services for tourists are already familiar with the business and can easily adapt
CBET. Furthermore, trade and other economic activities can enhance their capacity to participate in
CBET businesses. A good initiation of community benefits from natural resource conservation is in
Bahir Dar Blue Nile River Millennium Park where locals participate in the protection and conservation
of the area. There are a total of 22 scouts, 78 people engaged in horticulture, poultry, animal fattening,
dairy farming and textile in the boundary of the park.
The local people are not new to the concepts of cooperatives and associations, and this is conducive for
establishing CBET. The locals have high interest to have their own share from the tourism „cake‟, and
they always complain on government in relation to this issue. There are times the local communities
have blocked investment by the private sector the likely reason being that they are not benfiting from
tourism resources in the area. In addition to capacity, the interest of locals to participate is critical in
the planning and development of Community Based Ecotourism. When asked about the interest of
locals to participate in tourism, an official from Bahir Dar Culture, Tourism and Sports Office described
that they have high interst. He stated that:
“the community believe that they are not beneficiaries from tourism. They ask the office and other
stakeholders that they shall benefit from the tourism industry. This is a frequently asked question
whenever there is a meeting with the local communities. They have high interest for participation. Once up
on a time, investors put milestone to establish a lodge, but because they failed to convince and participate
the local communities, their project failed. The local communities prohibited them.”
The implication of this is that the local communities beleive they should benefit from tourism and this
is a favorable condition for establishing Community Based Ecotourism enterprises. The locals are also
tied each other in kinships, a plus for establishing CBET. NGOs, government and private sector can use
such favaorable opportunities to develop and benefit local people.

4.4 Existing and Potential Tourist Attractions and Tourist Demand

There are different existing and potential tourist attractions in and around the town of Tis Abay. The
main attraction for which the town is famous is the Blue Nile Falls. The 17th century Fasiledas bridge is
also important. In addition, there are various attractions which have high potential to be developed as
tourist attractions. Among these are Hotsprings, Mineral Waters, caves, Monasteries, biodiversity,
cultural activities, agro-tourism, and practices of trekking, raftting, fishing, bird watching, etc. Other
activities, though not well organized, are aslo available in Tis Abay. A kind of „creative tourism‟ in the
area is allowing tourists to bake and taste injera-a local staple food which is like a pancake. So, if
planned, developed and conserved, these attarctions have huge potential for the development of CBET
in the area.
Tourists were asked about their overall satisfaction with the attractions in Tis Abay and 47% of tourists
replied that they are happy with what they have visited, while the same figure of tourists also said that
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they are delighted with their sightseeing. Tourists described the attractions they have visited in different
ways. They have said:
interesting to see falls, to see people going about their daily business, the country side; nice, wonderful
falls; very interesting falls although the falls would be better if there were more water, walks; great
nature; beautiful views; very beautiful area, lovely walk, friendly people (except some hassle from young
men); the natural attractions are beautiful and these are the images that should be portrayed more; very
nice place; and naturally gifted area.

Because of the hydroelectric project in Tis Abay and diversion of Lake Tana water to Beles, the volume
of the Blue Nile has significantly decreased, except during summer, and the situation is explained best
by Carillent and Phillips as follows: “ ... thanks to the hydroelctric project, the once mighty falls have
withered like an aged chain smoker. --- instead of the river‟s 400m width cascading over a sheer chasm
to the rocks 37m below, now there is only a stream as little as 4m wide off the shallowest section-29m
high” (Carillent and Phillips, 2006: 118).

Tourists‟ interest and expectation and the way destinations manage them are the basis for success for
tourism activities and businesses. Respondents from TIC and local guides explained that tourists would
like to trekk the surrounding and see the local culture and way of living ( i.e. local house and pen,
farming, baking and food, clothing, local music and dances). Nowadays, according to local guides,
tourists are repeatedely complaining about lack of standard place to eat and drink, and spend the
night. Tourist surveys show that the majority (76%) have are interested to stay longer than they actually
stayed now if additional tourism products are developed in Tis Abay. On the other hand, the majority of
tourists surveyed (84%) said that they are ready to give support if CBET is developed in Tis Abay in the
future whereas. When asked about overall satisfaction with their visit of Tis Abay, about 60% said they
were satisfied, and 39% replied that they are delighted.
4.5 The role of stakeholders for developing Community Based Ecotourism
It is obvious that collaboration and partnership of all stakeholders in tourism is crucial for planning
and implementing CBET at Tis Abay. There are various stakeholders who can support and facilitate the
development and management of CBET. Among these are the Kebele Administration, Local Tour
Guides, Boat Owners, Souvenir Sellers, Tis Abay Tourist Information Centre, Bahir Dar City
Administration Culture and Tourism Office, Amhara National Regional State Culture, Tourism and
Parks development Bureau, Amhara Credit and Saving Institute, Amhara Development Association,
Organization for Rehabilitation and Development of Amhara, Abay Millennium Park, Bahir Dar
University and other Hotel and Tourism academic institution, Ethiopian Ecotourism Society, and the
Local communities are key actors for establishing and running CBET at Tis Abay at the destination
level. However, it is understood that little development acitivites and efforts have been made by these
actors so far to make Tis Abay a major tourist destination and benefit the local community from its
resources. These stakeholders can support ecotourism product development, infrastructure
development, building the capacity of the community and marketing the destination.

4.6 Challenges for Developing Community Based Ecotourism

There are a number of challenges for the development of CBET in Tis Abay. The decrease in the volume
of the Blue Nile Falls is one of the serious challenges that can hinder the development of CBET since
the falls are the core product of the town. It is also revealed that the level of communities‟ awareness
and knowledge, lack of a regional strategy regarding CBET development, problems of basic and tourism
infrastructures and the depletion of biodiversity are challenges for CBET development in Tis Abay.
4.7 Can Community Based Ecotourism be an Option?
It is difficult to have straightforward answer whether CBET can be an option for sustainable tourism
development in the town. The current practice of tourism in the town is not really benefiting the local
people. So, generally, for the following reasons, the researchers believe that Community Based
Ecotourism can be a sustainable tourism development option.

The town is strategically located near Bahir Dar: around 30 kms far from Bahir Dar, capital city of the
regional state. In addition, retailing goods and services is not adequate as the town is located not on a
crossroad: which hinders its capacity to grow in trade. This necessicates the need to focus on other
options such as CBET. The high argicultural potential of the area gives opportunitity for linkages with
CBET. In addition to the falls, which is the icon of the destination, there are plenty of other potential
attractions to be visited by tourists and extend their length of stay. There are also many tourists with
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the interest to stay longer if attractions are developed. As CBET is small scale, simple accommodations
can be established by the local community which can benefit both tourists and local communities.

It has the competitive advantage of serving as a recreation site as most of the attractions in the historic
route do not have such resources. In addition, there are many people who are still jobless, and CBET
can be a good option to directly and indirectly benefit them. Furthermore, the local people, including
farmers, have still enough time to engage in CBET, especially during the winter season, where tourist
flow increases.

There are many environmetal problems in relation to conservation, and this can be better handled by
participating the local communities in benefit sharing and conservation, where CBET can be one option
for such measures. In addition, the locals are complaining about benefits, and there are times they have
stopped projects to be implemented by private investors: this can be positively taken as there is deep
interest to participate in the benefits of tourism development in the area. On the other hand, they do
not now care about the Blue Nile Falls because they are not benefited from it.
Generally, the researchers believe that, with the resource potential, geographic location, and interests of
the local community, Community Based Ecotourism can be a sustainable tourism development option.
However, developing CBET will not be a simple task, and requires the collaboration of different
stakeholders. In addition, it should be noted that CBET will not be a panacea for all the problems in the
destination.

Conclusion

Tis Abay has the potential for developing CBET. Though not to the standard, there certain tourism
businesses such as souvenr shops, boat service, and food and drink outlets. These services need
improvement. In addition, the area has high agricultural potential which can provide good opportunity
for linking tourism and agriculture and benfit tourists and local communties. The area also has
potential tourism attractions that can be clustered with the already sites being visited. The experinece
of locals to work in associations and cooperatives also facilitates the establishment of CBET. Local
communties show interest to participate in tourism development, an importnat requirement for
developing CBET. Government, private sector and NGOs can exploit the available favorable condition
and support the establishment and development of CBET in Tis Abay. However, there are still some
challenges that might hinder the development of CBET in Tis Abay, including the decrease in volume of
Blue Nile Fall, lack of sense of ownership of tourism attractions by communties, poor quality of tourism
products and lack of adequate infrastructure. It is possible to solve the challenges for development of
CBET if stakeholders can work together. The researchers believe that CBET can be a sustainable
tourism development option in Tis Abay for the favorable conditions discussed above.
Acknowledgement: The researchers would like to thank College of Business and Economics, Bahir Dar
University, for funding this study.
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