2merkato

A new system to rate hotels in Ethiopia is expected to be on line by the end of the current year announced the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The ministry revised its rating system to match international standards on the basis of feedback from the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

The UNWTO experts concluded that the previous system needed to clarify the criteria better and to allow more time for hotels to prepare to meet standards said Sisay Teklu, coordinator of Tourism Services Competence Accreditation Directorate with the Ministry of Culture.

Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia’s flag carrier, has announced that it is to launch upgraded evening flights between Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar as of the 15th of May. The airline will deploy its Boeing 737-700/800 on the route.

Ethiopian is dedicated to supporting the increasing demands from the tourism sector as well as business travel according to the press release. The airline is currently offering flight services to 17 domestic destinations providing the largest domestic network continent.

There are two daily flights to Bahir Dar every day.

Pfizer, the leading global health company reiterated its commitment to fighting counterfeit medicines by helping to build capacity of major stakeholders in the health sector including decision makers, by partnering with the Government of Ethiopia's regulatory agencies and through creating awareness by the use of media.

Pfizer also announced that it will launch products in its Cardio Vascular (CV) portfolio in response to the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the country.

In his speech during a press briefing at the Hilton hotel on April 24, Dr. Enrico Liggeri, Country Manager, Nigeria and East Africa region (NEAR) described Ethiopia as the second largest market interest and focus of business expansion.

As part of its awareness campaign, Pfizer partnered with the AU to engage medical experts and created a platform to discuss current trends on cardiovascular diseases in the country.

Emirates Airlines is offering special fares to a large range of destinations in Europe and America to customers in Ethiopia.

The special Economy Class fares offered by Emirates’ to the United States include $1123 to Seattle and Dallas, $1273 to New York, $1673 to Los Angeles and $1672 to Houston. Fares to the US are valid for ticketing on or before the 31st of May for travel before the 30th of June.

Offers for European cities include offers of $694 to Rome and Geneva, $692 to Milan and Venice, $716 to Zurich, $710 to Amsterdam, $749 to Frankfurt and $774 to Paris. Fares to Europe are valid for travel and ticketing on or before the 10th of June.