Enhancing Sustainable Tourism Development through Conservation of Cultural, Historical, and Natural Heritages in Southeastern Ethiopia

This policy brief outlines the ongoing project aimed at enhancing sustainable tourism development in Bale, East Bale, and West Arsi zones of Southeastern Ethiopia. The project focuses on conserving cultural, historical, and natural heritages while fostering community engagement and economic growth. Since 2021, Madda Walabu University has been executing a project titled "Enhancing Sustainable Tourism Development through Conservation of Cultural, Historical, and Natural Heritages in Southeastern Ethiopia." This initiative targets the West Arsi, East Bale, and Bale zones, with a total budget of 5,292,791 Birr allocated over five years (2021-2026). The project aims to enhance a sustainable tourism economy while preserving the region's rich heritage. Key activities include assessing heritage site conditions, identifying potential tourist attractions, and documenting cultural and natural resources. The project has yielded a comprehensive inventory of 89 heritage sites, including notable UNESCO landmarks such as Bale Mountains National Park, Sof Omar Cave, and Dire Sheik Hussein Shrine. The policy relevance of this initiative lies in its potential to inform evidence-based tourism development strategies, particularly in underutilized yet heritage-rich rural areas. The findings highlight the urgent need for integrated policy frameworks that link conservation with tourism development, youth entrepreneurship, and equitable benefit-sharing. This policy brief recommends the formulation of localized tourism policies, improved coordination among stakeholders, recognition of undocumented heritage sites, and the creation of community-led tourism investment funds to ensure long-term sustainability and inclusive development outcomes.