The US-based JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group reported that Ethiopia has seen a significant decline in tourism arrivals over the past four year, with the first quarter of this year exhibiting a further 35.5 percent decrease.

In the midst of cascading events the novel coronavirus pandemic has unleashed, the hospitality and tourism sectors, one of the hardest hit sectors, has been granted a 3.3 billion birr short term financing bailout to aid in working capital shortages and salaries.

Haile and Alem International Coffee Farm in Sheka Zone, Tepi town, Southern Regional State, has suffered a property loss of more than 28 million birr due to vandalism.

Following the spread of  COVID -19 and the subsequent travel restrictions impacting the international travel-tour industry,  88 percent of hotels in Addis Ababa have decided to partially or fully close their doors due to low occupancy rates, according to Addis Ababa Hotel Owners’ Association (AHA).

Hotel owners and tour operators are seeking government assistance to withstand the severe impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak which brought the hospitality industry to a standstill.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Thursday granted a five-star rating to Ethiopian Skylight Hotel.

The French augmented hotelier, Accor Hotels Group, has agreed to bring in and manage Ibis Styles, a mid-scale brand as a fifth pipeline project in Ethiopia under its umbrella.

One of the most prominent hotels in Bahir Dar, Grand Resort and Spa, is to be named Radisson Bahir Dar and will be fully managed by one of the most sought after international brands. This is the first time the brand has ventured outside of the capital.

The Global Brands Magazine (GBM), a UK-based publicationdevoted to news and opinions on brands that are shaping the future of their industry,has recognized Calibra Consultancy and Business PLC for its efforts in promotinghotel investment and branding in theEthiopian hospitality sector.

The Qatari hospitality giant, Katara Hospitality, is said to be conducting its due diligence to invest Euro500 million in the African hospitality market, targetinga chain of hotels and convention centers to be built across the continent, The Reporter.