Addis Ababa Prepares Half and Full-Day Tourism Packages
The Addis Ababa Tourism Commission has announced plans to introduce curated half-day and full-day tourism packages, following the government’s move to approve a free transit visa idea aimed at transforming the capital into a leading stopover destination.
The initiative comes as part of a broader national strategy to capture greater value from transit passengers passing through Bole International Airport, one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs. By enabling short-term stays, authorities aim to convert transit travelers into active visitors who contribute to the local economy.
According to Biniam Taye, Deputy Commissioner of the Addis Ababa Tourism Commission, the upcoming packages are being designed with flexibility and efficiency in mind and the itineraries will allow visitors to experience key cultural, historical, and commercial attractions within limited timeframes. “We are working closely with stakeholders to map seamless routes from the airport to major destinations,” Biniam stated during the launch of Craft Addis, a Pan-African event celebrating creativity and innovation. “Our focus is not only on accessibility but also on ensuring that service standards align with international expectations.”
To operationalize the program, the commission has partnered with Ethio Holidays and Ethiopian Airlines. As part of this collaboration, open-top buses are expected to play a central role in transporting visitors across designated tourism circuits, offering both convenience and a structured sightseeing experience over the city.
The free transit visa, recently approved by the Council of Ministers, is currently under review by the House of Peoples’ Representatives and if enacted, the policy will allow eligible passengers flying with Ethiopian Airlines to stay in Ethiopia for a period ranging from 24 hours to seven days, effectively repositioning Addis Ababa from a transit hub to a destination in its own right.
Industry data indicates that transit passengers now represent a significant majority of international arrivals. Even a modest conversion rate into stopover tourists could generate substantial economic impact, particularly across hospitality, transportation, retail, and cultural sectors.
The announcement coincides with growing momentum in the city’s creative and tourism industries. The upcoming Craft Addis festival, scheduled for April 30 to May 2, 2026, is expected to attract over 10,000 participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, artists, and policymakers and is positioned as a catalyst for revitalizing Ethiopia’s underutilized creative economy while enhancing the city’s global cultural profile.
Backed by the Addis Ababa Tourism Commission and international partners including embassies from Sweden and the United Kingdom, the festival will also feature collaborations with major sponsors such as Ethiopian Airlines, Nigus Malt, and Flawless Event. With the convergence of policy reform, infrastructure alignment, and cultural programming, Addis Ababa is positioning itself to become a competitive stopover destination in Africa, leveraging its aviation strength into a broader tourism growth engine.