Ethiopian Ballooning Establishing Ethiopia's first ballooning operator, with a flight capacity of 3,250 clients a year. The tourism industry in Ethiopia in showing a steady growth. As the country clearly benefits from it, tourism has become a featured component of Ethiopia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. In order to remain attractive for tourists, Ethiopia should come up with new appealing activities. Hot air balloon flights are doing very well in countries like Kenya and Tanzania, especially in the areas of the National Parks. Ethiopia has similar areas, like Nechisar national park, but can also offer balloon flights on top of the Blue Nile falls. The Dutch Applicant company Sky Promotions BV under the trade name Virgin Balloon Flights has started a joint venture company with the Ethiopian company Adika Tour & Travel Plc. This company is the first ballooning operator in Ethiopia, generating employment for 31 people. In addition, it has trained the officers of regulatory authorities on strict safety measures for the ballooning industry and set up a regulatory framework together with the Civil Aviation Authorities in Ethiopia.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The joint venture will define its own CSR policy based on the CSR policy of the Applicant. All balloons and side equipment will comply with international safety, health and environmental regulations. An Environmental Impact Assessment will be implemented and a landing protocol defined with the local communities or land owners. The regulatory authorities will be trained on the regulatory framework. The joint venture will provide good working conditions and fringe benefits for its employees. Their suppliers will be checked on their policy on working conditions, environment and abstinence of child and forced labour.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe company will employ 16 full-time people, of which 5 high-level, 7 medium-level and four basic-level. In addition, 15 people will be employed as medium-level freelancers as part of the ground crew, they will work at least 200 days a year at the end of the project. The salary level is high, ranging between 300 euro a month for the ground staff and 1,500 euro for the pilot, including 5 flights. For every additional flight the pilot will receive 250 euro. Freelance ground staff will receive 5 euro per day. Working conditions will be good, including lodging expenses, 24 holidays, payment for overtime, strict safety and health regulations.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeAll technical and safety knowledge and skills on hot air ballooning are new to the country. Balloon marketing concepts also apply for other tourist industries, so employees could take advantage of that.•	Chain effectsThe project will have a positive impact on the tourism chain in Ethiopia. International tour operators can make a more attractive travel programme for their clients. Ethiopian travel agencies can attract more travellers to their offices with the sales of the balloon flights, making it easier also to sell their other travel programmes. It will have a positive effect on the occupancy rates of lodges and restaurants in cities like Arba Minch or Bahir Dar. Similar to the car rental companies as for every flight a minibus will be rented to transport the clients. The joint venture will use the services of a catering company for the food and drinks for their passengers and staff. The car maintenance shop will have quite some work, as the trucks have to drive in heavy terrain. The joint venture will set the regulatory framework, making it easier for others to start as well.•	EnvironmentThe joint venture will conduct an environmental impact assessment prior to the start of the project. However, the risk for the environment of this project is negligible. On the contrary, it will attract more tourists to the National Park Nechisar, bringing additional income for the park, enabling it to finance its park management. The joint venture will only fly bigger balloons, 8-16 passengers, decreasing the air pollution per passenger caused by the balloon and the chase car. The joint venture will take proper care of the recycling of the waste materials.•	Position of womenFive of the 16 staff members will be women. Also, part of the freelance ground staff will be women, enabling women from remote rural areas to find employment. Establishing Ethiopias first ballooning operator, with a flight capacity of 3,250 clients a year.