The Ethiopian Tour Operators Association (ETOA) board of directors held talks on August 19, 2026, with the Afar Regional State Tourism Bureau, led by Head Ato Mohammed, to address critical challenges hindering the growth of tourism in the region and to discuss preparations for a major upcoming national event.

The discussion focused primarily on two pressing issues: the proliferation of illegal tour operators operating without licenses, and the growing concern over unpredictable and exaggerated price hikes for local services — a problem that has placed significant financial strain on licensed tour operators, who often bear the brunt of sudden cost inflations between the time of tour contracting and actual service delivery.

The agenda also included a review of logistics and infrastructure at key Afar tourism destinations, as well as preparations for the upcoming World Tourism Day 2026 celebrations, which will be hosted by the Afar Regional Government and the Afar Tourism Bureau. The region expects ETOA to play a significant role in the success of this landmark event, and both parties agreed on the need for early and coordinated preparation to showcase Afar's unique geological and cultural heritage to the world.

Following extensive deliberations, both parties agreed to formalize their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). ETOA will take the lead in drafting the MoU and will submit the document to the regional bureau for review in the coming days.

The proposed MoU aims to:

Establish a regulatory framework to combat unlicensed operators

Introduce price stabilization mechanisms to protect licensed operators from sudden cost inflations

Implement an Integrated Standardized Tourism Management (ISTM) system to facilitate an effective one-point payment system at Semera or other designated entry points, enhancing transparency and streamlining revenue collection

"We fully understand the financial strain our licensed tour operators face due to unpredictable price changes. We are committed to creating a fair and predictable pricing environment that protects legitimate businesses and ensures tourists receive quality service," stated Ato Mohammed, Head of the Afar Regional Tourism Bureau.

ETOA board members welcomed the commitment, expressing confidence that the new partnership would bring much-needed stability to the sector. Both parties agreed to work closely on the implementation of the MoU and on preparations for World Tourism Day, ensuring that the celebrations leave a lasting, positive legacy for Afar while safeguarding the interests of responsible tour operators.