In 2024, Ethiopia launched a bold set of economic reforms, part of its Homegrown Economic Reform (HGER) agenda, aimed at transforming the economy to be more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. These reforms are backed by major international partners, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, which have provided billions in financing to support the efforts. Here’s a closer look at the benefits and challenges these reforms bring to Ethiopia...
Investing in People: SimienEcoTours' Capacity Building Efforts
Posted by Birhan on Wed July 23, 2025 in Tourism in Ethiopia.
At SimienEcoTours, we don’t just take people to beautiful places, we believe in creating meaningful, responsible journeys that are built on trust, professionalism, and cultural connection. That’s why, every low season since 2018 (except during crisis years), we hit pause on travel operations and turn our focus inward: investing in our people through hands-on training and leadership development.
Investing in People: How SimienEcoTours Builds Safer, Stronger Travel Experiences from the Inside Out
This year, from June 30 to July 8, we proudly hosted an intensive, two-part training initiative: Leadership Development for our internal team and Tour Guiding Excellence for all our internal and freelance full-time guides. This was made possible through partial sponsorship from GIZ and Sequa, organizations equally committed to empowering local tourism operators.
Training Part 1: Leadership Training for a Purpose-Driven Team
Led by respected Ethiopian expert Ato Wubeshet, our leadership sessions were designed to equip our internal staff composed by 11 people, across logistics, marketing, operations, and sales with tools to:
- Strengthen inter-departmental collaboration
- Lead with empathy, clarity, and impact
- Make informed, guest-centered decisions
- Communicate with confidence and cultural sensitivity
We are designing the tours carefully and our team now operates with even more synergy and shared vision.
Training Part 2: Tour Guiding with Heart, Skill & Expertise
Meanwhile, our experienced guide network participated in a 5 full days hands-on “Escort Guide Training” led by German tourism specialist Andreas Damson from Travel and Personality. The training focused on:
- Understanding the expectations and mindset of European travelers
- Mastering storytelling, guest interaction, and conflict resolution
- Navigating group dynamics in culturally sensitive ways
- Planning and delivering tours aligned with sustainability goals
- Legal and ethical considerations in travel leadership
The course wrapped up with immersive exercises including a live “City Tour” and presentations, allowing guides to showcase their skills and receive direct feedback.
Why This Matters to You: Safer, Smarter, More Sustainable Travel
So, what does this mean for our travelers?
- It means your tour is led by someone who knows how to manage risk and inspire connection.
- It means your experiences are carefully crafted by a team trained to think critically, ethically, and creatively.
- It means every interaction you have from the first email to your final farewell is rooted in service, responsibility, and human-centered hospitality.
We are proud to be a Travelife Certified company, but more importantly, we act on that promise by constantly improving ourselves, season after season.
Gratitude & Looking Forward
We extend our heartfelt thanks to GIZ, Sequa, Mr. Andreas Damson, and Ato Wubeshet for their support and mentorship. We’re also incredibly proud of our entire team and guide network for their dedication and enthusiasm during the training.
As we welcome guests in the coming season, our renewed energy, sharpened skills, and unified purpose will be felt in every step of your journey whether you’re hiking the Simien Mountains, biking through the Ethiopian Highlands, or exploring the cultural heart of the country.
Further Reading
Ethiopia’s Recent Economic Reform - Progress and Challenges
Wed November 20, 2024
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Peace deal signed to end Tigray war
Sat November 5, 2022
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Some days ago, on November 2nd, after a two years long conflict and ten days of peace talks in South Africa, the two parties (Government of Ethiopia and TPLF) finally agreed on a “permanent cessation of hostilities” as well as on a series of other measures which should end permanently the conflict.
Is Ethiopia a Vegan-Friendly Destination?
Fri March 21, 2025
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When it comes to traveling as a vegetarian or vegan, many destinations pose a challenge - but Ethiopia stands out as an exception. With its rich culinary traditions, deeply rooted in culture and religion, Ethiopia is one of the most naturally vegan-friendly countries in the world. At SimienEcoTours, we understand the importance of sustainable and plant-based travel, ensuring that you can explore Ethiopia without compromising your values.
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