International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality Reviews eISSN: 2395-7654, Vol 6, No 1, 2019, pp12-19 https://doi.org/10.18510/ijthr.2019.612 12 |http://ijthr.in ©Authors ECOTOURISM POTENTIALS OF THE MAJANG FOREST BIOSPHERE RESERVE. GAMBELLA, SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA Selemon Thomas Fakana 1, *, Chiranjib Kumar Choudhary 2 and Alemken Berihun Mengist 1 1 Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gambella University, P. O. Box 126, Gambella, Ethiopia 2 Professor, Principal investigator, Department of Tourism Hospitality and Airlines, Lovely Professional University Punjab, India *Corresponding author: selethom36@gmail.com , chiranjib.23606@lpu.co.in Article History: Received on 01 st January, Revised on 15 th February, Published on 25 th February 2019 Abstract Purpose – the purpose of this study was to identify ecotourism potentials of the Majang Forest Biosphere Reserve. Methodology – The study employed qualitative research approach using an exploratory research design. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussion besides to field observations. Accordingly, key informants interviewees were held with 12 villages senior leaders (n=60), key informants from 6 departments (n=30) and NGO experts (n=5). Altogether, 95 respondents were involved in this study Findings – The results of this research revealed that fauna and flora (87%), water bodies (waterfalls, rivers, and lakes) (82%), cultural attractions (54%), manmade attractions as well as historical sites are found to be the major ecotourism potentials of the Biosphere Reserve. Originality – The study provides complied information of ecotourism potentials of the Majang Forest Biosphere Reserve, which has not been explored before. It enhances the concept of ecotourism and level of understanding of stakeholders in ecotourism potentials of the biosphere. Its findings contributes to better conservation of the biosphere reserve through creating awareness and commitment to decision makers, politicians, experts, leaders, eco-tourists, local community, etc. Social Implications - Majang Forest Biosphere Reserve has endowed numerous ecotourism potentials. However, the flow of eco-tourists to the destination and ecotourism activities are very weak. As a result, local communities living around biosphere reserve are less benefited from the ecotourism development. This study promotes ecotourism potentials of the biosphere reserve. It enhances the benefit of local communities through ecotourism activities like tour guiding association, beekeeping, souvenir shops, cultural shows, horse riding services, offering cultural foods, drinks and dressings. Limitations – Further deep study is vital to identify more ecotourism potentials. Promotion and marketing strategies need to be adopted and promoted wherein using internet, big hoardings, billboards, posters, and travel desks. Infrastructures should be improved eco-friendly to facilitate ecotourism activities. Keywords: Ecotourism; Ecotourism Potentials; Majang Forest Biosphere Reserve; Gambella; Ethiopia 1.0 INTRODUCTION Tourism has increasingly been center of attention as an alternative strategy of economic development in the world (Binayew and Yiheyis, 2016 ). Like many other countries, Ethiopia has also taken tourism as an effective instrument for poverty alleviation and to its integration into the world economy ( MoCT, 2012 ). Currently, tourism is one of the largest, leading and increasingly recognized growing industries globally that make significant contribution for economic development (Ketema, 2015b ; UNWTO, 2013). Ecotourism is a recent concept that emerged in the 1980s, as an alternative form of tourism to reduce the deterioration at the tourism destinations caused by mass tourism, and to maintain the sociocultural and environmental condition of the attraction areas ( Aynalem, and Simane, 2016 ). Ecotourism focuses on responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. It obtained the attention of developing countries due to both its importance in promoting conservation and its significance in economic development (Kumar, and Aditi, 2016 ). Nature based tourism is newly emerging industries and increasingly important source of income and wealth in many countries. It has been emerged as one of the effective tool in eradicating poverty (UNWTO, 2013; Blom, Sunderland and Murdiyarso, 2010 ). It enriches education to tourist and host community, conservation of biodiversity, culture maintenance, promotes shared leadership, balances power within communities, emphasizes community well-being through maximizing profit and generating livelihood opportunities (Fetene, 2012 ;TIES, 2006). It is socially sustainable tourism which is initiated and almost always operated exclusively by local people, primarily focuses on the benefits to the local communities, strengthens active participation of local community in ecotourism development and conservation (UNWTO, 2013). Ecotourism is a conservation tool around protected areas and biosphere reserves that were building environmental awareness and allows the major proportion of the benefits to remain within the community ( Bushell, and Eagles, 2006 ). In case of Ethiopia because of the majority of its population are engaged in agricultural activities instead of on off- farm activities like ecotourism, natural resources are exposed to extreme degradations (Sintayehu , Afework and Balakrishnan, 2012 ). Ecotourism could be alternative income generation and off-farm activities which benefit local communities while achieving the conservation goals of natural resources (Kumar, 2017 ; Fetene, 2012 ).