Identification of suitable sites for the community-based ecotourism developments in Abijiata-Shalla Lakes National Park, Ethiopia

Ecotourism is one of the most effective approaches to resolve economic development and nature conservation. This study aims to select the best community-based ecotourism site and type of ecotourism for local community engagement in Abijiata-Shalla Lakes National Park, Ethiopia. The study has been conducted based on geospatial data, field observation, household survey, and key informant discussion and focus group discussion. Analytical Hierarchy Process (APH) model has been used for pair-wise comparison matrix to determine a suitable area for community-based ecotourism. Factors and criteria were identified to determine their weight impact to map and quantify the suitable area for community-based ecotourism. The major portion of the national park, which covers 65.48% is unsuitable for community-based ecotourism development while only 5.1% of the park is highly suitable for community-based ecotourism development due to the forest coverage and numerous biodiversity occurrences. The major types of community-based ecotourism are hot spring water, fike maintains travel and camping, viewpoint and art craft site, ostrich farm, photograph and video making, tourist guides and horse ride. This study can be used for the stakeholders to implement and construct community-based ecotourism interventions.