Tourism Industry

Irob has huge potential for ecological and cultural tourism. The natural beauty of the landscape, the unique culture and cultural holidays, the minority's culture and history that span to the pre-Aksumite epoch, the Famous Gunda-Gunde monastery, and the Deqiqe Estifanos history are some of the jewels waiting for discovery. The landscape of Irob is scenic to the point some foreign visitors nicknamed the region "African Tibet".

Irob also developed an incredible indigenous democratic system known as the "Ona" system and autonomous governance recognizing Ethiopia's central government. This autonomy lasted until the 18th century, way before modern-day Ethiopia. Irob is also where modern education was introduced into Ethiopia (1839) in the historic Alitena town the capital of Irob. Irob also played a significant role in regional and national politics. Prominent political leaders like Dej. Subagadis Woldu, Emperor Yohannes IV,  and Dr. Tesfay Debesay are some of the iconic Irob political figures to remember. Irobland and the community hosted various political movements including the EPRP. It also served as a refugee for the 14th-century Deqiqe Estifanos followers. 

Income from tourism would go to Irob government and reinvest in public infrastructure. 

Irobland is known as African Tibet. Mountain trekking, combined with cultural holidays of Irob indigenous minority has a huge potential for tourism industry. The vegetation of Irobland is unique in the region. It resembles more to that of the Arabian Peninsula mountains than anything around the rest Tigray region. This has to do with the unique attributes of the geological formation of the Great Rift Valley. However, the vegetation is not identified and researched. It is an opportunity open for exploration and research. Irobland is part of the Great Green Wall's northern frontier. Four of the WWF Ecoregions that overlap the Irobland, namely the Ethiopian xeric grasslands and shrublands, Somali Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and thickets, Ethiopian montane forests, and the Ethiopian montane grasslands and woodlands.