The Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management (THM) on Thursday, 25 May 2023, organized an educational field trip to Bishoftu where students of the 2012 batch have had a practical tours to human-built and natural attractions and tourism sites in the town. The tour was primarily destined to the Crater Lakes and their surroundings.
Coordinated by the Department, QEC members and guided by professional tour guides, the students, along with two instructors, have been able to have firsthand information from the horse’s mouth on tourism and related products in the town and its neighborhoods. To address eco-tourism and geological issues, Dr. Addis, the owner of Green Lake Restaurant has made remarkable lecture for 20 minutes. Students raised various matters about the lakes in Bishoftu and the Dr. discussed issues meticulously.
While appreciating the natural and built tourist products at the destination, the students participated in entertainment and other activities, including diving in one of the crater lakes in Bishoftu.
The first site reached by the students and the instructors was Green Lake, one of the wonderful crater lakes in the area. There was also a museum, Green Lake Geology Museum, where images of wildlife species/geological lakes and crater lakes picutres and depictions are housed for display to visitors. It has also a café called Green Lake Café. Orientation was made by Dr. Addis, a geologist by profession and the owner of the museum, on the Lake and related natural resources in the surrounding.
Green Lake, also known as Lake Magarisa, is a stunning saltwater lake. It is known for its vibrant green color which is caused by the presence of algae. The lake is surrounded by dry savannah grass lands and hills, which provide a stark contrast to the bright green water. One of the highlights of the visit to the neighborhood was hiking up one of the nearby hills to get a panoramic view of the lake and its surroundings. They have been guided to take highs for good view of the entire lake and its green water as well as the dry grassland and hills in the distance.
After a lunch break at “Etalem Restaurant” where the students have been served with delicious food dubbed “Tirmismis”, the tour was continued to the neighborhood Babogaya Lake, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area due to its clear blue water and picturesque surroundings.
The one-day tour to the destination was very education, entertaining and of course successful and students, having returned back, said the tour was an unforgettable experience for them.
