Assessing Challenges of Hospitality Sector in South Wollo Zone: The Case of Dessie and Kombolcha Towns

Abstract

The principal purpose of this research is to examine challenges of hospitality sector in south Wollo zone of Kombolcha and Dessie Towns. The researcher employed mixed methodology. Data are collected from primary and secondary sources through questionnaire, interview, document review and personal observation to make the study more reliable and vibrant. The finding reveals that, the hotel industry is one of the fastest growth sectors in Dessie and Kombolcha towns. But, nearly 84.1% of hotels are not touristic hotels. Even most of the hotels except few could not be able to render quality services though the number of national and international tourists flow has been increasing from time to time.  Regarding customer handling and level of customer satisfaction, 48.6% of respondents were strongly disagreed about the availability of good customer handling techniques in the sample hotels. The respondents also added that, except some hotels in Dessie and Kombolcha towns, most of them have critical problems of hygiene and sanitation. In general this study examines the difficulties faced by the hotel industry in the study area including the challenges faced by the tourists, workers as well culture and tourism industry. Hence, the regional government in collaboration with the zone culture and tourism department should invite more tourism investors to invest in the two towns particularly hotels investors and Problem related with hotel should solve promptly. Keywords: Hospitality Sector, Dessie and Kombolcha Towns, Challenge DOI : 10.7176/JTHS/42-03 Publication date :July 31 st 2019