ADDIS ABABA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government announced that more than 1.4 million international tourists have visited the country during the 2025/2026 fiscal year, which concludes on July 7.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed revealed that the country has generated over 5.2 billion U.S. dollars in foreign exchange revenue from the surging influx of foreign visitors and related activities during the reported period, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported on Wednesday.
According to Abiy, the record number of foreign visitors to the East African country represents an increase of more than 100,000 and 300,000 visitors compared to the previous two fiscal years, respectively.
The prime minister further noted that the country has achieved "significant milestones" by successfully hosting 204 international meetings and conferences over the course of the concluding fiscal year, drawing in excess of 166,000 foreign guests.
Abiy underscored that the tourism sector has been elevated to a core economic pillar under Ethiopia's national development strategy, which aims at driving long-term transformation and ensuring sustainable prosperity.
Abiy said the sector is increasingly driving job creation, investment flows, small business expansion, and national cohesion as the country advances an inclusive economic growth agenda.
The East African nation is home to a dozen United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage sites, recognized globally for their unique cultural and natural significance.
The country is also one of Africa's premier destinations for conference tourism. The Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, is widely considered the diplomatic hub of the continent, hosting the headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, alongside numerous other regional and international institutions.
