Startup studio 1888EC and the Mastercard Foundation have announced a partnership for the launch of a new digital platform aimed at supplementing Ethiopia’s struggling tourism sector. The pilot project of the platform is going to be called “Land of Origins” and is going to provide tourists the opportunity to explore Ethiopia’s wide array of tourism locations free of hassle.
The prototype of the platform is going to be developed within the next few months and is going to be a modern, user-friendly interface that allows users to book everything from virtual and live tours to accommodations to tour guides and other relevant resources.
1888EC also affirms that given the security issues that have become prevalent throughout the country, the platform is going to give visitors peace of mind by incorporating a good portion of the tour experience in a single, easily trackable platform. It’s features and services will include access to verified tour guides, accommodation bookings, a best local attraction locator, local experience offerings, and many more options for travelers.
According to Mastercard Country Director Alemayehu Konde Koira, the platform will especially focus on boosting MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions). The partnership also expects the platform to facilitate job creation within the tourism sector especially for youth that live around the popular tourist attractions.
Founded by tech and entertainment personality Solomon Kassa, 1888EC is a startup with the stated goal of disrupting existent systems and facilitating the entry of youth into Ethiopia’s various sectors. It aims to do this by cultivating an environment that fosters the easy access and extensive use of digital technology to fuel entrepreneurship, job creation, and innovation.