The Ministry of Tourism has announced that Ethiopia will host 74 international conferences over the next two months, marking a rise in conference tourism.

According to Getinet Yigzaw, CEO of the Ethiopian Convention Bureau, 31 global conferences are scheduled for June and 43 for July, to be held in cities including Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Ambo, Dessie, and Debre Tabor.

The upcoming events cover a wide range of fields such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, genetic engineering, sustainable water management, ecological agriculture, and leadership and entrepreneurship.

So far in 2025, 84 international conferences have already taken place, drawing over 30,000 foreign and 171,000 local participants, with nine held in May alone. 

Getnet noted a shift from Ethiopia’s historical focus on luxury tourism to business tourism, which attracts larger groups, ranging from 200 to 25,000 delegates per event. This trend offers major economic benefits, creating opportunities for businesses. 

To support this growth, Getinet emphasized the need for improved infrastructure and services catering to business travelers’ needs for recreation, exercise, and leisure.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald