Development of Community-Based Ecotourism, A Case of Choke Mountain and Its Environs, Ethiopia: Challenges and Opportunities

Naturally, culturally and historically, Choke Mountain has potential tourism attractions which are perfect to develop community-based ecotourism. However, these potentials were not exploited. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate challenges and opportunities for developing Community-based ecotourism. To achieve the intended objectives, mixed research approach was employed. Data were collected via extensive review of literature, questionnaire, interview, and field observation. In the study, 64 Samples were selected purposively from Culture and Tourism office at regional, zonal and woreda level and 10 samples were taken from Agriculture and Rural Development at Zonal and Woreda level. The collected data were systematically organized, described, verified, analyzed, and interpreted accordingly. The findings of the research showed that low level of awareness, poor conservation activities, less co-ordination and partnership effort of stakeholders, population growth were the major challenges. On the other hand, diversified tourism potentials, special attention of different governmental and non-governmental agencies, cooperatives and private organizations, and accessibility of the historic routes were the major prospects to develop community-based ecotourism in Choke Mountain and its surroundings. Keywords: Choke Mountain, Challenges, Community- Based Ecotourism and Opportunitie