Ethiopian Tourism, Legislation Gaps, and Implementation Challenges: A Study in Amhara Region

Abstract Tourism is a multispectrum and interagency puzzle, due to the impact many sectors have on this industry. As a result, laws are important to promote effective governance and policy approaches that help overcome sectorial gaps. But legislation might fail to meet its objectives and poor implementation can lead to long-term adverse consequences for the society and economy of the destination. This study analysed the major legislative gaps and implementation challenges. The study employed a descriptive study design with a cross-sectional research approach. Primary data was collected from 153 respondents through a questionnaire survey. The result from the study indicates that Ethiopian tourism legislation has acceptability, suitability and feasibility shortcomings. Concerning the challenges for effective implementation of tourism laws, the study found that there are stakeholder support–related challenges, economic challenges, coordination/bureaucracy–related challenges, and awareness-related challenges as well as ambiguity. The study also forwarded all the required recommendations for every stakeholder to ease legislative problems.