Eritrea’s Anseba Region: Untapped Tourism Potential Beckons
Eritrea’s Anseba Region is embarking on a journey to transform its rich historical and cultural heritage into a thriving tourism sector. Mr. Saleh Ali, Director General of Tourism, highlighted the region’s untapped potential during a recent announcement in Keren, emphasizing the significant income generation possibilities through strategic tourism investment.
The Anseba Region boasts a unique blend of historical and cultural attractions, offering a diverse range of experiences for discerning travelers. Ancient buildings stand as testaments to the region’s rich past, while World War II trenches and cemeteries offer poignant reminders of a pivotal moment in global history. Historic battlefronts from Eritrea’s struggle for independence add another layer of historical significance, providing insights into the nation’s journey to freedom. Religious sites and artifacts complete the tapestry of Anseba’s cultural heritage, offering spiritual and cultural immersion opportunities.
Mr. Ali stressed the importance of peace and stability in attracting tourism, highlighting Eritrea’s potential to become a prime destination for visitors seeking unique and enriching experiences. He called on institutions providing tourism services to actively contribute to the sector’s development, emphasizing the need for collaboration and investment to unlock the region’s full potential. This call to action aligns with broader efforts across East Africa to leverage historical and cultural tourism as a driver of economic growth and regional integration. The East African Community (EAC), for example, has adopted a unified strategy to promote the region as a cohesive tourism destination, showcasing its diverse heritage and natural attractions under the theme “Visit East Africa: Feel the Vibe.”
The Anseba Region’s tourism development strategy mirrors successful models implemented in other East African countries. Uganda, for instance, has positioned itself as a central hub for East African tourism by showcasing its rich cultural heritage and historical sites. The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) 2025 highlighted Uganda’s focus on authentic cultural experiences, fostering regional collaboration and the development of interconnected tourism circuits. Similarly, community-based tourism (CBT) and the development of heritage sites have been central to successful tourism growth across East Africa. These initiatives often involve local communities in the management and interpretation of historical and cultural sites, ensuring that tourism benefits are widely shared and that cultural integrity is preserved.
The Anseba Region is actively promoting its key attractions to both domestic and international audiences. The Keren War Cemetery, a meticulously maintained site honoring fallen Commonwealth soldiers, stands as a significant destination for war tourism. The Italian War Cemetery offers another perspective on the region’s wartime history, while the Tinquilahas battlefield, with its preserved trenches and fortifications, provides a tangible link to the past. Religious sites like the Debre Sina Monastery and the Mariam Dearit Shrine offer spiritual and cultural immersion, attracting pilgrims and tourists alike. These diverse attractions cater to a wide range of interests, from history buffs and war enthusiasts to those seeking spiritual or cultural experiences.
To further stimulate domestic tourism, the Anseba Region is conducting awareness-raising campaigns in schools and government institutions. These initiatives aim to educate the local population about the region’s rich heritage and encourage them to explore their own backyard. This focus on domestic tourism complements efforts to attract international visitors, creating a more balanced and sustainable tourism ecosystem. The region’s tourism authority is also actively engaging with local stakeholders, encouraging them to invest in tourism infrastructure and improve service quality. This collaborative approach aims to create a more welcoming and professional tourism environment, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
The Anseba Region’s tourism development efforts align with national economic projections, which identify the service sector, including tourism, as a key driver of growth. Eritrea’s real GDP is projected to increase in the coming years, partly driven by private investment and consumption in the tourism sector. This optimistic outlook underscores the potential of tourism to contribute significantly to the region’s economic prosperity. By leveraging its unique historical and cultural assets, the Anseba Region is poised to become a significant player in the East African tourism landscape, offering travelers a unique and enriching experience while driving sustainable economic growth and community development.
Drawing inspiration from regional success stories, the Anseba Region is implementing a multi-faceted approach to tourism development. This includes promoting authentic cultural experiences, preserving historical sites, empowering local communities, and engaging in strategic international marketing. By learning from best practices and adapting them to the region’s unique context, the Anseba Region is charting a course towards sustainable tourism growth, creating new opportunities for local businesses and communities while showcasing its rich heritage to the world.
The projected growth in Eritrea’s tourism revenue, based on regional benchmarks, further reinforces the sector’s potential. Using Uganda’s tourism revenue growth as a reference point, projections for Eritrea indicate substantial growth potential in the coming years, with varying scenarios ranging from conservative to optimistic. This positive outlook, coupled with the region’s proactive development initiatives, positions the Anseba Region as an emerging tourism destination with significant investment potential and exciting prospects for future growth.
