Ethiopia - Kuriftu creates new lakeside lodge

Boston Partners PLC has almost finished the construction of a new lodge on the shores of Lake Tana, in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. The company was due to finish the 27 lodges and two presidential suites of Kuriftu Resort and Spa last year, but was delayed by the high prices and shortage of cement. Tadiwos Getachew Belete told Capital that right now the Kurifitu Resort and Spa Lake Tana is ready to accommodate guests, although the official inauguration is in May.

"The high price and shortage of cement in the market not only affected our schedule to finish it last year, but also our total investment is beyond expectations," Tadiwos says.
He confirmed that Kuriftu Resort and Spa Tana has been built on 10,000 msq with a total investment of 30 million birr. It is to create permanent jobs for about 120 people.

One of the results of the current financial crunch is that the numbers of tourists has decreased globally, which is a problem for the resort's management: "It is a daily question, how we can resist the crunch while 87 per cent of our customers are Ethiopian.

It is true that, if the global economic crunch continues, our plan to construct two resorts and spas within two years will be affected," Tadiwos admitted.

Attention has been paid to the resort's environment, with an effort made to retain indigenous vegetation and additional trees planted in the compound. Sometimes, Ethiopia is slow to promote its beautiful cultural roots, history, amazing climate and hospitable people - the stereotypical image in the rest of the world is still a country of poverty and starvation - but enterprises like Kuriftu are a step in the right direction. Tadiows said that the resort has already taken step to promote the destination internationally: "We have a plan to sign an agreement with international tour operator companies which have the capacity to bring in tourists from around the world," he added.

The Bahir Dar location is the second for Kuriftu Resort and Spa, with the other being in Debre Zeit. That enterprise, which started with 18 lodges, has expanded its services to include additional lodges with junior and presidential rooms for a total investment of 29 million birr.

But the Lake Tana site is not the end for the lodge's owners. Tadiows added: "As we have got initiation and encouragement from Kuriftu Resort and Spa, we plan to construct additional lodges in Abay gorge and Geralfa."
If the plans go-ahead, not only will it mean accommodation to match Ethiopia's wealth of attractions, but equally importantly, income and jobs for the local communities supplying the materials and labor.