Challenges and Prospects of Sustainable Tourism Industry in Eritrea: Retrospective Policy Assessment

The tourism industry is one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors in the global market. It contributes towards complete growth and development of a country by bringing numerous economic value and benefit and helping in building country’s brand value, image and identity. Eritrea has huge tourism potential owing to its natural, historical and cultural endowments. However, the tourism industry in Eritrea is only in its nascent stage. This study, therefore, try to identify and examine the major challenges of sustainable tourism development and its prospects. Primary data were collected from interview with different Ministry of Tourism authorities, travel agencies and tour operators’ managers and owners. Secondary data were retrieved from annual reports of international tourism organizations, Ministry of Tourism, the State of Eritrea and other documented sources including magazines and relevant research and papers. The research concludes that Eritrea has great potential for the development of tourism. However, the tourism growth is blocked by specific factors such as poor image, inadequate tourism infrastructural and technological facilities, absence of coordination among tourism stakeholders and lack of skilled man power. This study will assist policymakers to understand the present challenges of the tourism industry and provide necessary recommendations to adopt appropriate strategies and mechanisms.

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