SELESHI GIRMA APPOINTED NEW CEO OF ETHIOPIA TOURISM

(Posted 31st July 2019)

Ethiopia: Prime Minister Abiy appoints New CEO for Tourism Ethiopia

Africa
–
July 31, 2019 Courtesy of Mr. Kojo Bentum-Williams and VoyagesAfriq and ATCNews

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed has removed Lensa Mekonnen as the CEO of Tourism Ethiopia, replacing her with Seleshi Girma,

Seleshi has been serving as a chief of staff at the Addis Abeba Mayor’s Office. He was also an advisor to the Minister of Culture & Tourism and deputy head of the Addis Abeba Tourism Bureau.

Sileshi graduated in tourism management from the University of Gondar and did postgraduate studies at Mekelle University. He also authored a book in 2011 titled, "Challenges & Opportunities of Promoting Tourist Destinations: A Case of Ethiopia."

The outgoing CEO was assigned to the post a year ago, replacing Yohannes Tilahun, filling a position that was vacant for six months. Given the new focus of Ethiopia about tourism, both MICE and conventional travel, does it seem obvious that the powers that be had ran out of patience and were looking for renewed vigour and drive to advance the country’s tourism agenda.