Addis Ababa’s conference boom: The city hosted 221+ international conferences this fiscal year, up from 150+ the year before, as corridor development and visitor upgrades keep pulling global meetings and business travelers in. Tourism capacity in Southern Ethiopia: The new Southern Ethiopia Region says it’s pushing “standard” tourist accommodation, reaching 75% of a plan for 7,020 rooms, with 2,850 tourism service organizations operating and most getting competency certification. Ethiopia markets itself across Africa (via Kenya): Ethiopia launched an Africa-wide tourism promotion campaign in Nairobi, with Ethiopian Airlines and local partners, aiming to boost intra-African travel and highlight UNESCO sites and cultural heritage. Business diplomacy for investment: Ethiopia’s foreign ministry says reforms are making the country more “open for business,” with a push to attract FDI and expand partnerships in tourism, trade, energy, and infrastructure. Visa momentum: Ethiopia’s immigration service reports issuing 1.04 million visas in the fiscal year to July 7, citing digital upgrades and new stopover/transit visa options to support tourism growth. Travel-linked security watch: UK guidance warns against travel to parts of Kenya over terrorism risks tied to Somalia-based armed groups, including areas near the Kenya–Ethiopia border at Moyale. Tourism ideas with a twist: A new study-backed push argues Africa’s “faith tourism” could become a major growth engine, building pilgrimage routes and sacred heritage into sustainable visitor economies.