Addis Ababa has had history of 125 years. In these years, the city has embraced the nations and nationalities of the country with their cultures, traditions and values. Addis Ababa is the home of ancient churches, mosques, historical buildings, monuments, museums, theatre and cinema halls, parks and the traditional values of its residents. This generation shoulders the responsibility of promoting our city, and country as a whole, taking advantage of this potential tourist attraction.

The city is the capital of our country and the seat of international organizations such as the African Union. The lighting of massive bonfire on the occasion of the Finding of the True Cross, the Idd Prostration, the Ethiopian Epiphany and other religious events are officially celebrated in the City of Addis Ababa. 

The Culture and Tourism Bureau of the City of Addis Ababa was established with the objective of producing a society that develops, preserves and visits the cultural, natural and historical assets of the city.

While the city is under extensive reconstruction, the City Government has drawn huge plan to ensure the forward stride of the City of Addis Ababa maintaining its suitability and beauty and to equate the future changes of our country and of our city with the five years plan of growth and transformation.  The implementation of the plan is presently underway. To work diligently to extensively promote the past social, political and economic backgrounds of the city and its present status using new strategies, rather than only being confined to the common mass media alternatives, will certainly be of paramount importance in promoting our nation, in addition to the fact that this endeavor is crucial at the present moment.
Therefore, I would like to convey my message in urging all to discharge their share of responsibilities of promoting our country by nurturing our culture of tourism and in due recognition of the current level of our growth.