Addis Ababa: The newly inaugurated Wanchi-Dandi Ecotourism village is a calming and peaceful place with the bubbling streams, the natural springs and the mineral water which visitors will find very attractive, UK Ambassador to Ethiopia Darren Welch said.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the ecotourism village today, in the presence of African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, and members of the diplomatic corps.
One of the members of the diplomatic corps, Ambassador Welch said that he was really impressed by the vision which has been turned into an incredible reality.
‘We have a top class resort with fantastic facilities based in this amazing location in the countryside, and it is among the best that I have seen. It is really a fantastic project.’
Noting that such initiatives will help Ethiopia to compete with some of the world’s top tourist destinations, Ambassador Welch also said that he has be
en impressed by the way in which this project integrated with the local community.
As a result, visitors can come here and spend time living with members of the local community, he stated, pointing out that local communities are displaced in some projects sometimes, which is absolutely not the case here.
‘I think international tourists will find it very attractive and appealing. I have been really impressed with the design which seems to be very sympathetic with the natural environment,’ the ambassador noted.
You are spending your time here in a very calming and peaceful place with the bubbling streams and the natural springs and the mineral water and it is really a very special location.
Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Agostino Palese said the village is a wonderful place with an incredible potential for tourism.
According to him, the project is a benchmark for all Ethiopians. The area is amazing and the two lakes are really nice spots to spend holidays and to meet nature.
‘It is also something that be
longs to the Green Legacy as well, and you could see here the real part of Ethiopia. It is really amazing.’
Ambassador Palese elaborated that the project would play a pivotal role for other parts of Ethiopia.
‘Once you start here, it could be just a drive for other eco-friendly projects like this. You should keep having this space because to respect nature is the most important thing and at the same time joy with nature.’
Also, praising the integration of the community with the village as a good example, he stated that this is the only way to be sustainable because the communities are part of the project and this is a very clever idea.
‘So, it is a win-win situation both for the government and the community.’
The Wanchi-Dandi Ecotourism Village is the third tourism destination developed through Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Dine for Nation initiative launched in 2021.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency
