Tourism and Hotel Management Department of College of Business and Economics celebrated its signature annual weeklong event ‘Tourism Week,’ by hosting mosaic of programs at different locations from 27th December, 2016, to 1st January, 2017. Click here to see the pictures.
The celebration kicked off previous evening wherein staff and students have had the candle light procession in the campus. Department Head, Mr Wagnew Eshetu, addressing gathering, underscored the significance of the event, said, it offers a great opportunity to imbibe practical aspect of tourism and lauded AMU for producing qualified graduates for this crucial sector.
Then followed the electrified evening program in which the fashion show, both solo and pair segment saw gorgeously dressed boys and girls walking the ramp. The show was interspersed with first round of dance performances both in traditional and modern style and vocal contest left the audience fully regaled.
On the first day, department staff and students planted 500 saplings of indigenous species in the campus. College Dean, Melkamu Mada, in his opening remarks, stressing significance of higher education, said government is taking adequate efforts to tap full potential of tourism and hotel industry.
Thereafter, musical show by Arba Minch Town Cultural band, circus, and ‘Campus punch,’ that constituted slew of competitions like mimicry, food fighting, cultural dance, body & face painting and beauty pageant - fashion show for Mr and Ms Tourism etc. were key attractions.
The essence of panel discussion on ‘Responsible tourism and hospitality employment’ underpinned the urgent need to unlock unexplored tourism potential. It states, though, Ethiopia offers a trove of historical, cultural, religious and archaeological attractions but it hasn’t made a dent into huge prospects. So, promoting it to the foreign market and local citizens with a well-developed human capacity will bring an institutional and attitudinal change to realize its true worth.
A delegate from Culture Tourism and Government communication Bureau, Hawassa, Mr Abiot Tsegaye, Dr Melkamu Mada, staff members and students were in attendance. Mr Gashaw Getahun and Mr Derera Ketema were the presenters at panel discussion.
The grand finale hosted at Paradise Lodge, Academic Affairs Vice President, Dr Yechale Kebede, said, higher education is supremely vital for the development of nation wherein tourism and hotel industry plays greater role in strengthening the economy, hence, it needs to be vitalized in that regards, AMU is leaving no stones unturned in producing qualified graduates.
Beauty contest: Kaleab Gebre won ‘Mr Tourism’ title; William Habtom and Mohammad Usman were second and third runner-ups. Mesay Teklemarkos claimed ‘Miss Tourism’ crown, while Emly Tesega and Meaza Birhane were adjudged second and third winners.
The first three winners of ‘Miss and Mr Tourism’ (in both female and male categories) were awarded cash prizes.
Mini-Marathon: In men’s category, Terminos Muse, Yishak Abraham and Deginet Abera were winners; Kemedi Negeso, Zinabua Eyasu and Hana Degefa were victorious in female category. In vocal contest, Abebaw Desalegn, Melaku Esubalew and Biniyam Gidey shined outwitted others; in body painting, Suleman Negash was the sole winner.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)