DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2015.v03i08.015

Pages: 1368-1383

The main purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize the potential ecotourism sites in Bench Maji Zone, Southwestern part of Ethiopia. This work was assessed the potential suitable areas for ecotourism based on bio-physical characteristics of the land ecosystems and socio-economic data. These are landscape (land use land cover), vegetation density (species diversity), topography (elevation and slope) and accessibility (distance from roads). These criteria and factors were selected according to the professional expert’s opinions. First, a resource inventory and a list of ecotourism criteria were developed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process method. At the next stage Geographic Information System techniques were used to measure the ranking of different sites according to the set criteria and thus identify those with the “best‟ potential. Subsequently, the land suitability map for ecotourism was created, based on the linear combination of the criteria and factors with their respective weights. The degree of suitability of each factor was classified as highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3) and not suitable (N) for ecotourism. Based from the suitability map, the areas of highly ecotourism potential (S1) are located in north eastern and western part of the zone especially Shay Bench, North Bench, south western part of Guraferda, western part of Maji and, some parts of Sheko and Bero. These areas can be used for education as well as natural resource management and community based ecotourism development. It could serve as main ecotourism attractions but with the use of certain limitations and guidelines. The areas of moderately ecotourism potential (S2) are located in north Guraferda, Sheko, Minit Shasha and Goldiya districts. It can be developed as ecotourism destination by facilitating proper ecotourism infrastructure and services. These areas can still be considered for ecotourism attractions.