An Investigation of Tourism Potential, Communities’ Awareness and Engagement Towards Community Based Ecotourism Development in Kehitastse Forest and Environs, Ethiopia

The research focuses on investigation of tourism potential, communities’ awareness and engagement towards community based ecotourism development in kehitastse forest and environs. Descriptive research design was employed and 91 samples selected out of 957 households through simple random sampling technique for quantitative data; however purposive sampling technique was used for qualitative data. The data were collected through questionnaire survey, key informant interview, field observation and secondary data sources. Over all thematic data analysis method was used. Data collected through questionnaire was analyzed through using Uni-variate descriptive statistics (range, frequency and percentage) while qualitative data was mainly used to triangulate the study to reach in to conclusion. The finding shows that the area is rich in natural and cultural tourism resources for community based ecotourism development. Moreover, the community's positive attitude and engagement towards tourism developed in the area are some of prospects for community based ecotourism development although unsustainable exploitation of the forest for grazing, fire wood, housing, charcoal, lumbering household and agricultural materials are some of adverse effects on sustainable development of the forest. It is recommended that environmentally sound, culturally friendly and economically feasible community-based ecotourism should be developed in the destination to bring local sustainable development. Keywords: Tourism Potential, Community Based Ecotourism Development, Sustainable Development, Communities Awareness and Engagement DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/42-02 Publication date:July 31st 201