Tigray Herald፡November 15,2024 (Mekele)
Written By Yerga Yaecobe
Comprehensive Recommendations for Enhancing the Tigray Tourism and Culture Bureau
Introduction
The following document provides targeted recommendations to the Tigray Tourism and Culture
Bureau, structured around key areas critical to its mission: organizational policies, strategic
planning, digital transformation, security, and post-genocide heritage recovery. Implementing
these recommendations will help establish the Bureau as a leader in preserving Tigray’s cultural
heritage and advancing its post-genocide recovery.
- Organizational Policies and Staffing
Code of Conduct and Ethics:
Current Status: Does the Bureau have a structured Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics that
guides all staff and employees?
Recommendation: Consider establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethics, if not already in place.
This would reinforce ethical standards, prevent conflicts of interest, and cultivate a shared sense
of purpose in safeguarding Tigray’s heritage.
Hiring Practices:
Current Approach: What criteria are used for recruitment — skill-based, merit-based, or a
combination?
Recommendation: A transparent hiring policy, integrating both skill-based and merit-based
criteria, could enhance the quality and expertise of the workforce.
HR Policies and Disciplinary Actions:
Existing Policies: Is there a strategic HR policy covering recruitment, training, employee
well-being, and performance management?
Recommendation: Developing an Employment Disciplinary Action Policy could promote
accountability, addressing performance and conduct issues systematically. - Data Management and Marketing Strategy
Tourism Database Strategy:
Current Status: Does the Bureau have a tourism database strategy to analyze visitor
demographics, preferences, and behaviors?
Recommendation: Implementing a visitor database would allow for data-driven decision-making,
tailoring marketing campaigns, and improving visitor experience.
Marketing and Brand Storytelling:
Current Promotion: How does the Bureau currently promote Tigray’s cultural heritage and
tourism attractions?
Recommendation: Developing a compelling brand story that highlights Tigray’s resilience,
beauty, and ancient civilization can attract global attention. A Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
that underscores Tigray’s rich history would be highly effective, especially on digital media
platforms.
Brand Logo and Website:
Current Status: Does the Bureau have a distinctive tourism logo that reflects Tigray’s heritage
and identity?
Recommendation: A strong, memorable brand logo and a well-designed, accessible website
with updated content will enhance Tigray’s appeal to international audiences.
- Strategic Planning and Roadmap
Tourism Industry Roadmap:
Existing Roadmap: Does the Bureau have a long-term roadmap that includes sustainable
tourism, heritage preservation, and marketing goals?
Recommendation: Developing a roadmap that recognizes Tigray’s post-genocide context and
positions it as a cradle of civilization can attract both tourism and international support.
National Digitalization Strategy:
Current Status: Is there a national digitalization strategy for Tigray’s cultural and religious
heritage?
Recommendation: Digitizing artifacts and records can safeguard Tigray’s heritage for future
generations and broaden global access, fostering awareness and support.
Heritage Protection and Restoration:
Existing Framework: Is there a strategy for protecting and restoring cultural heritage sites?
Recommendation: Establishing a legal framework to prevent unauthorized constructions on
heritage sites, and banning the use of foreign symbols or flags, can help maintain Tigray’s
cultural integrity. - Post-Genocide Recovery and Heritage Auditing
Post-Genocide Recovery Strategy:
Current Strategy: Has the Bureau implemented a recovery strategy for the tourism sector
focusing on rebuilding Tigray’s historical sites?
Recommendation: A recovery strategy would showcase Tigray as a resilient cultural hub and
could garner international support for reconstruction efforts.
Heritage Auditing:
Auditing Practices: Does the Bureau conduct heritage audits to evaluate the condition of sites
pre- and post-genocide?
Recommendation: Regular heritage audits can track restoration progress and identify further
protection needs, ensuring Tigray’s heritage is preserved. - Security and Protection of Heritage Sites
National Security Vetting and Enhanced Security Check (ESC):
Enhanced Security Checks
Implementing enhanced security checks is crucial to safeguarding Tigray’s rich cultural and
historical heritage, especially given the current threats of vandalism, theft, and illicit trafficking of
artifacts. Collaborating with Tigray’s national security apparatus will allow for a more robust and
coordinated approach to protecting these valuable assets. Regular security patrols, reinforced
with the use of advanced surveillance technologies, can be deployed to monitor and control
access to heritage sites. Additionally, training local security personnel in heritage protection
protocols will strengthen their capacity to identify potential risks and respond effectively to
threats.
A critical component of these security checks should include strict entry and exit screenings for
any personnel or visitors at heritage sites. By implementing controlled access points and
routinely checking for unauthorized materials or suspicious activity, we can mitigate the risk of
theft and ensure the sites’ safety. Moreover, establishing security checkpoints around significant
sites can deter potential threats and reassure the community of the Tigray Interim Government’s
commitment to preserving cultural identity and historical integrity.
Heritage Monitoring Systems
Developing a comprehensive heritage monitoring system would further enhance efforts to
protect Tigray’s cultural sites. By leveraging technology such as satellite imagery, drones, and
sensor networks, heritage monitoring systems can provide real-time data on site conditions and
detect any changes or disturbances. This system would allow for immediate intervention if any
suspicious activity is observed, significantly reducing the chances of irreversible damage or loss.
In addition, a digital inventory and database of Tigray’s heritage sites and artifacts should be
established. This database can catalog each item, noting its condition, history, and precise
location. This not only aids in monitoring but also assists in documentation for potential
restoration efforts. The data can be integrated with international heritage monitoring
organizations to enable a global alert system for any illicit trafficking attempts, thereby
enhancing the security network beyond Tigray’s borders.
Such measures would demonstrate a proactive stance in protecting Tigray’s heritage, setting a
standard for post-conflict cultural preservation.
Current Security Measures: Does the Bureau have a National Security Vetting process for staff
and a monitoring system for all cultural sites?
Recommendation: Enhanced Security Checks, in collaboration with Tigray’s national security
apparatus, could mitigate risks like vandalism and theft, safeguarding cultural assets.
Heritage Monitoring Systems:
Current Systems: Are there real-time monitoring systems in place to protect heritage sites?
Recommendation: Real-time monitoring would enable swift responses to potential threats,
ensuring cultural sites remain secure.
- Collaboration and International Relations
Diaspora and Civic Collaboration:
Current Partnerships: Has the Bureau established strong networks with the Tigrayan Diaspora
and civic organizations?
Recommendation: Collaborating with the Diaspora and civic organizations can be instrumental
for funding and international advocacy efforts.
International Partnerships:
Existing Collaborations: Does the Bureau work with international heritage institutions, including
UNESCO?
Recommendation: Building partnerships with global heritage organizations can provide the
Bureau with resources, expertise, and advocacy networks to protect Tigray’s heritage. - Digital and Branding Strategy
Digital Tourism Strategy:
Current Strategy: Does the Bureau have a digital tourism strategy for global outreach?
Recommendation: Establishing a digital tourism strategy, aligned with UNESCO standards, can
enhance Tigray’s appeal and reputation as a world heritage site.
Strategic Inscription Registration:
Current Documentation: Has the Bureau introduced a strategy for registering inscriptions and
historical texts?
Recommendation: Digitizing and registering inscriptions can preserve Tigray’s cultural legacy
and facilitate global scholarly access. - Post-Genocide Narratives and Unique Cultural Identity
Post-Genocide Narratives:
Current Narratives: How does the Bureau highlight Tigray as a cradle of African civilization in
the post-genocide context?
Recommendation: Expanding narratives to reflect Tigray’s contributions to civilization and its
people’s resilience could attract international interest and support.
Brand Identity and Global Engagement:
Current Brand Identity: How can Tigray’s tourism brand reflect both its heritage and unique
cultural identity?
Recommendation: Leveraging Tigray’s legacy of scholarship, craftsmanship, and spirituality can
create a powerful message to engage global audiences.
Expanded Recommendations
Documentation and Publication:
Develop comprehensive documentation for each area, allowing transparent policy
implementation, progress tracking, and communication with stakeholders.
Continued Dialogue:
Engaging local communities, diaspora networks, and cultural experts can provide valuable
insights, ensuring strategies are culturally sensitive and globally appealing.
Conclusion
These recommendations provide the Tigray Tourism and Culture Bureau with a holistic
approach to promoting and preserving Tigray’s cultural heritage. Strategic policies in these
areas will support sustainable tourism, protect Tigray’s heritage, and foster resilience,
positioning the Bureau as a guardian of Tigray’s cultural legacy and a leader in post-genocide
recovery.
