Challenges of COVID-19 on Tourism Sector: Comparative Study of Ethiopia and Kenya

Ethiopia's tourism potential is diversified: natural attractions that include some of the highest and lowest places in Africa along with immense wild life including some endemic ones; very old and well preserved historical traditions with fascinating stele, churches and castles to witness that, an attractive cultural diversity of about 80 nations and nationalities, etc. But, nowadays, this sector is facing challenges from COVID-19. The same is true in Kenya. Kenya’s tourism sector faced problems because of COVID-19. The objectives of the study is identifying and analyzing the challenges of COVID-19 on tourism sector: The case of Ethiopia and Kenya. Additionally, the study compared and contrasted the challenges of COVID-19 on tourism sectors of Ethiopia and Kenya. The research employed qualitative method of data collections and analysis applied to effective response to the research questions. Thus, the research used comparative research design. The major sources of data were primary and secondary sources of data. Interviews were conducted from key informants to get primary data. Also, secondary data were collected from different websites, journals; other published books. Secondary sources comprised an international and regional organization such as UN and AU statistical and other reports. The finding of the study shows that although the pandemic came during the low tourist season in Kenya, the hotel sector has experienced an abrupt and unprecedented drop in hotel demand that has led to closure of most hotels. Consequently, some hotels have consequently sent some staff on paid and unpaid leaves. The study recommends that the government and peoples of Ethiopia and Kenya should give priority for health and safety in this modern age. And, implementing the preventive and curative mechanisms shouldn't left for tomorrow. In the case of Kenya, governmental and private banks and other financial institutions in Kenya should be involved in giving loan to the tourism organizations which are paid in a long years with lower interest rate. In the case of Ethiopia, the country should work hard to promote domestic tourism to recover travel and tourism industry. The people of Ethiopia should be motivated to visit the historical, cultural and natural tourism sites. This will develop the domestic tourism and enhance the income of the stakeholders of tourism industry. In order to promote domestic tourism through government and private stakeholders must be involved.