Abstract:
This paper is intended to assess heritage tourism potentials and challenges of Rese Adbarat WoGedamat Tedibabe Mariam. To achieve the objectives the researcher employed qualitative research approach. The subjects of this study were the local community elders living in the study area, the Amhara Sayint Woreda culture and tourism office employees, servants and leaders of Rese Adbarat WoGedamat Tedibabe Mariam, Amhara Sayint Woreda church diocese and South Wollo Zone Culture and Tourism department employees. A total of 35 interviewees were selected purposively and by snow ball sampling method as key informants. Both primary and secondary data sources are used to assess the potentials and challenges of heritage tourism in the study area. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews, deep and continuous personal observation and focus group discussion where as published and unpublished documents were the secondary sources. The results of the study revealed that Rese Adbarat WoGedamat Tedibabe Mariam has huge heritage tourism potentials. In this regard, it has mural paintings and precious antiquities, different ecclesiastical treasures and the different historic houses found in the churchyards. Even though Rese Adbarat WoGedamat Tedibabe Mariam has huge heritage tourism potentials, it has not yet been utilized due to lack of tourist facilities, lack of heritage conservation, lack of awareness and absence of documentation are among the factors that hinder heritage tourism development of Rese Adbarat WoGedamat Tedibabe Mariam.
