Addis Ababa Public Recreational Areas Corporation (AAPRAC) is seeing green – not just in the parks it manages, but also in its revenue figures.
AAPRAC oversees ten parks across the city, and both park popularity and revenue are on an upward swing. This year, it aimed to earn Birr 70.9 million from one million visitors. However, the past ten months alone have yielded over Birr 53 million birr from 785,000 visitors, exceeding half their target. Visitor numbers have steadily climbed, reaching 785,000 in the last ten months – a significant increase from 500,000 in the 2022/23 fiscal year.
While Addis Ababa boasts over 24 parks, AAPRAC currently focuses on ten. Recognizing the need for improvement, it has identified five parks meeting current standards. Renovation plans are underway for the remaining five, with design work already begun for two. Regular upgrades such as improved walkways and restrooms are planned to ensure all parks meet visitor expectations.
Public outreach is another key strategy. Collaborations with media outlets will promote park services, while monthly family events aim to draw even larger crowds. AAPRAC has already organized ten events and partnered with private entities on sixteen more.
Looking ahead, AAPRAC plans to expand its reach, managing more parks and potentially collaborating with private institutions to develop new ones. The corporation encourages residents to visit, highlighting affordable services for celebrations and events.
Source: Addis Zemen
Image source: AAPRAC
