03/08/2026
The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with its Heritage Authority, Wildlife Conservation Authorities, and private sector tourism partners including the Ethiopian Tour Operators Association (ETOA), has launched a large-scale sapling planting program under the national Green Legacy initiative, planting more than 100,000 saplings in support of Ethiopia's broader goal of planting 800 million seedlings nationwide.
The event brought together Members of Parliament, employees of the three institutions, tour operator associations, private investors, hotel sector professionals, and beauty pageant contestants, reflecting broad participation from across the tourism and hospitality sector.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Tourism noted that the ministry is focusing on planting fruit, coffee, and ornamental trees that support both tourism diversification and environmental protection. The Green Legacy Program, he added, plays a significant role in restoring and protecting national tourism attractions, wildlife habitats, and water bodies — describing the effort not as a one-time campaign, but as a sustained commitment to handing over a green and hopeful country to future generations.
It was further noted that Ethiopia's implementation of the national goal to plant 800 million seedlings in a single day has become a continental example, with several African countries citing the initiative as a model practice.
Beyond expanding national forest cover and mitigating climate change, the program incorporates fruit trees and vegetables aimed at strengthening food sovereignty, while also creating suitable natural habitats for wildlife — a contribution expected to meaningfully support the country's long-term tourism resource base.
ETOA's participation in this initiative reflects the association's ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability as a core pillar of responsible tourism development in Ethiopia.
