Urban Tourism Potential of Hawassa City, Ethiopia

Abstract

Urban tourism is the new phenomenon in Ethiopia in general and in Hawassa in particular. The main aim of this research was assessing urban tourism potential of Hawassa city. In order to gather necessary data observation, informant interview, visitor questionnaire survey and secondary review method of data collection were used. Data collected from visitors were coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Other data were analyzed through explanatory and descriptive method of data analysis. The result revealed that lake Hawassa and its surrounding, Gudumale recreational area, monuments of Smuda and Woldeamanuel, Loke Palace, Mount Alamura and Tabor and others were identified as tourism attractions of the Hawassa city. Lake Hawassa was the most known and visited attraction whereas Loke Palace and Burkita hot springs were the least known and visited resources because they were not accessible. Hence, in these resources require immediate intervention on these resources by concerned body so as to increase tourism attraction varieties in the city.