African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, Volume 6 (3) - (2017) ISSN: 2223-814X Copyright: © 2017 AJHTL - Open Access- Online @ http//: www.ajhtl.com 1 Developing Community Based Ecotourism to diversify livelihood and assure environmental conservation in Haramaya and Gurawa Districts, Ethiopia *Samuel Syraji 1 , Alem Mezgebo 2 , Abdibeshir Said 3 and Mulu Brhanu 4 1 Samuel Syraji, Tourism and Hotel Management Program, Haramaya University Email: fereja2009@gmail.com, or samuel.syraji@haramaya.edu.et 2 Alem Mezgebo, School of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Haramaya University 3 Abdibeshir Said, Tourism and Hotel Management Program, Haramaya University 4 Mulu Brhanu, Gender and Development Department, Haramya University Corresponding author* Abstract The main objective of this study was to reveal the potentials of Haramaya and Gurawa districts for developing community based ecotourism (CBT) to diversify livelihood and assure environmental conservation. The data was gathered through questionnaires, interviews, site visits/observations and document analysis. The collected data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis procedures. Econometric models such as the Spike model to estimate parametric mean of willingness to pay for community based ecotourism development and Bivariate Probit model to determine factors affecting willingness to pay were used in the study. The study has identified potential ecotourism resources of the districts inter alia caves, lakes, century old mosque, church and royal prison with distinctive relics and architectural designs, various marriage types and a host of bird species. The major problems investigated are lack of awareness on the part of the local communities about the tourism resources and absence of integrated works between tourism stakeholders. Using these potential resources and the local community’s (86%) willingness to pay, the article argues that, community based ecotourism should be developed in the study sites to diversify livelihood and assure environmental conservation. In addition, significant community works have to be undertaken so as to increase the local communities’ awareness. The government should create a promising environment where different stakeholders of tourism can work together to make the area sustainable from a tourism perspective. Keywords: Community based ecotourism, environmental conservation, livelihood diversification, Ethiopia Introduction Tourism refers to the activities of persons traveling to, and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited (Juul, 2015). It is a labour-intensive industry that provides a wide range of employment opportunities (UNDP, 2011). Ecotourism as a form of tourism deals with the activities of visiting natural areas including the task of needing to learn or participate in activities that do bring effects to the environment and it potentially empowers the local community both socially and economically (Eco Tour, 2007). It is an environmentally friendly means of bringing development and protecting natural areas and their wild inhabitants in remote locations (Weaver, 2001). Ecotourism has the responsibility to unite the community, conservation and sustainable travel. Similarly, Himberg (2006) stated that unlike other segments of tourism, ecotourism is well expressed by its sustainable development Open Rubric