Ethiopian Airlines Launches Ethiopian Holidays at World Travel Market, UK

Thursday 6th November 2014

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa, is pleased to announce at World Travel Market the launch of Ethiopian Holidays.

Ethiopian Holidays is a new package of special inclusive tours tailored to travellers' interests that showcase the variety and depth of natural, historical, cultural and religious riches of Ethiopia. They include cultural tours in the South; adventurous explorations including trekking in the famous Bale Mountains; national parks for exotic flora and fauna; bird watching tours to religious festivals in the North and the famous rock hewn churches of Lalibela.   The holidays - from five to 16 nights' long - go on sale from January, 2015 for travellers originating from the UK and cover flight and hotel packages. Furthermore, Ethiopian Airlines is pleased to offer a 40% discount on its domestic flights to passengers flying into its Addis Ababa hub on its long haul flights.

The programme is being launched at World Travel Market in London, acknowledging the show's status as the leading global event for the travel industry. The holiday packages support the goal of the Ethiopian Tourism Transformation Council (ETO) to adequately promote Ethiopian tourism, where Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, Ethiopian Airlines' CEO was named Board Chairman in May this year.  He is proud to play a catalyst role in helping to transform the country's tourism sector.

Ethiopian Holidays' packages will be available to purchase from travel agents, tour operators and from the website www.ethiopianairlinesholidays.co.uk. Destination Store has been appointed by Ethiopian to promote and sell the holidays in the UK on the airline's behalf.

Mr. Michael Yared, Ethiopian Airlines Country Manager, UK & Ireland said: "We are very proud to launch Ethiopian Holidays at the World Travel Market, in partnership with Destination Store. We have a growing and strong customer base in the UK already taking advantage of our daily Boeing 787 Dreamliner services from London Heathrow to Addis and beyond.  This complementary offering for the leisure market enables us to showcase the diversity of our country with a range of attractive holiday packages that further enhances the tourism flow to Ethiopia - the cradle of civilization."

Ethiopian Tourist Organisation (ETO) forms part of the wider Ethiopian Government's five year Growth & Transformation Plan (GTP) which aims to substantially boost the number of tourists visiting Ethiopia and the amount of revenue generated through sustainable growth.

Commenting on the launch, Solomon Tadesse, CEO of ETO, also attending World Travel Market this week, added: "Ethiopia has tremendous potential in the tourism sector not limited to wildlife, but to a rich culture, history, and archeology, including nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the highest number of sites in Africa".

Ethiopian is a global Pan-African carrier currently serving 83 international destinations across five continents and 49 destinations in Africa with over 200 daily flights, flying latest technology aircraft such as the B777 and B787.

About EthiopianAirways

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing and most profitable airline in Africa. In 2014, IATA ranked Ethiopian as the largest airline in Africa in revenue and profit. In its operations in the past close to seven decades, Ethiopian has been a pioneer of African aviation as an aircraft technology leader providing the first jet service in the continent in 1962, and availing the first African B767 in 1984, the first African B777-200LR in 2010 and the first African and second only to Japan B787 Dreamliner in 2012.

Ethiopian commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 83 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200LR Freighter and Bombardier Q-400 with double cabin. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.

Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading airline group in Africa with seven strategic business units: Ethiopian International Passenger Service; Ethiopian Regional Service; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Service and Ethiopian Ground Service.

Ethiopian is a multi-award winning, including SKYTRAX and Passenger Choice Awards in 2013 and has been registering an average growth of 25% per annum in the past seven years.

About Destination Store

Destination Store is an independent tour operator owned by Destination Store Ltd, which holds IATA and ATOL licences ensuring financial protection for a client's holiday.

Established in 2001, and part of the Maryland Group, Destination Store is a successful UK tour operator focusing on particular destinations for which it has a passion and an extensive product knowledge. Its sales teams are highly conversant with its products and destinations and aim to offer clients a high level of service and first hand recommendations and advice.

Destination Store works very closely with its partners in the destinations it features, giving it access to a large range of excellent products offering excellent value.

www.flyethiopian.com