Guest Book - Meket Community Tourism

This is but a selection of the visitors to date, and TESFA wish to thank those that sent details about their stay in Meket.

Brad Pitt's stay - Oct 2004:

As part of a whirlwind tour in Africa with Washington based NGO DATA (Debt, Aid and Trade in Africa), Brad visited Mequat Mariam for one night with other members of DATA.

Marisa's Meket Community Tourism Experience - Feb 2005:

"We looked along the edge of the precipice, stretching as far as the eye could see in both directions, and saw where we were to stay that night...
It was a truly memorable visit, a rare window on a unique culture and landscape."

Nancy's account - June 2005:
(Photos courtesy of Nancy Strider)

"I am a 53 year old woman from Canada, travelling alone, and I made a three-day visit which included a trek through highland terrain between two farm villages. ….
My memories of Meket are infused with the sense of having been genuinely welcomed by the entire villages -- from the fire lit coffee ceremony in Wajela to the warm gestures, smiles and handshakes during a visit by the committee of farmers who oversee the Mequat Mariam site. This imaginative project seems to me to have been set up so that both the "visitor" and the "visited" experience an abundantly fair and non-exploitive exchange."

The adventures of Hannah and Kirsty - Oct 2005:
(extracts & photos courtesy of Hannah & Kirsty - from their web journals)

"Without a doubt, this Community Trek has been the highlight of our trip so far. We saw not only spectacular scenery, but also felt so extremely privileged to see the different stages of development of this Community Tourism Project. Most of all though, we enjoyed the privilege of seeing and interacting with the villagers in their own natural environment. Anyway who has the opportunity to visit Ethiopia, do it!"
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/flowergyaru/africa-2005/1130494380/tpod.html

Justin Francis - Oct 2006
Managing Director of responsibletravel.com
Trustee of The Travel Foundation www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk

Having been superbly looked after on my recent trek I'm writing to say important your work is in both the context of Ethiopian tourism, but also far wider as an example in tourism destinations in developing countries.