Ethiopia's fledgling tourism industry received a boost last week with British Airways' announcement that it will start flying into Addis Ababa this autumn. The twice weekly flights from Heathrow via Alexandria will be operated by BA franchise partner British Mediterranean Air ways and will start on 4 October. The country, which has been dogged by war and famine, has entered a period of relative stability following the signing of a peace treaty with Eritrea encouraging adventure tour operators to develop new business.

Most itineraries include the source of the Blue Nile, Aksum, reputed to be the Queen of Sheba's birthplace, the spectacular Tississat Falls, trekking in the Simien mountains and the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, which many compare with Petra in Jordan.

Exodus takes about 100 people a year on its two tours to Ethiopia, and Explore Worldwide is planning to add a second tour of Ethiopia to next year's brochure in response to demand.

Independent travel is possible though it tends to be expensive as internal flights are required because the road network is poor and hotel choice limited outside the capital city. Explore product manager Nick Anstead said: 'Ethiopia has the most visible history of any African country and stands alone in terms of culture and variety of experiences. It has massive potential.'

Ethiopian Airlines flies daily from London to Addis Abbaba via Rome.