ETOA had a substantial meeting last Saturday with key stakeholders in Lalibela, including the newly appointed administrator of St. Lalibela Monastery, Aba Hiriyakos, Lalibela's Mayor, Ato Wondimu, and Lasta’s representative at FDRE House of Representatives (Parliament), Wzo. Kidist, in Addis. We addressed critical issues such as entrance fees, service standards, local guides, town harassments, Lidet (Christmas), Timket celebrations, and security concerns.

We are pleased to announce consensus on three pivotal points:

1. Acknowledging the untimeliness of the fee increase and recognizing areas for improvement in local guiding and harassment issues, we commit to regular meetings to collaboratively elevate Lalibela into a premier tourist destination.

2. ETOA will take the lead in orchestrating comprehensive training sessions for both the church community and other key stakeholders in the town. The primary goal is to augment their understanding of tourism intricacies and elevate their service standards. This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to fostering an environment of continuous improvement, ensuring that all involved parties contribute to an enriched and elevated experience for visitors.

3. In harmony with the church and local government's efforts to ensure peaceful Lidet and Timket celebrations, we unite to attract visitors during this short timeframe.

Rest assured, the security situation in the area has been guaranteed for the upcoming holidays. We urge you to maintain travel plans to Lalibela and encourage both groups and individual visitors. To those promoting domestic tours, please actively support and inspire locals to explore this culturally rich destination. Your cooperation is pivotal in realizing our shared vision for Lalibela's tourism development