Tourism resources are one of the rudimentary components of travel and tourism industry. The sustainability of tourism development of a certain nation or region is determined by the availability and protection of tourism resources. With this regard, Jimma town and its nearby area as other part of Ethiopia blessed with diversify potential cultural, historical and natural tourism resources. Nevertheless, systematic and organized study as well as identification and documentation of potential tourism resources has not been done so far in Ethiopia in general and in Jimma town and its locality in particular. Therefore, this study is conducted to identify, systematic document and assess the management practice of potential tourism resources in Jimma town and its vicinity. To grasp this objective both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods has been used. In this study, significant data was collected from both secondary and primary sources. Primary data was collected through interviews, focus group discussion and direct observation.

In the data analysis process both qualitative and quantitative research method has been employed. The finding of this study shows that Jimma town and its locality possesses a plethora of potential tourism resources. Concurring with the issues of conservation tourism resources of the study area is not well-conserved and preserved and affected as a result of natural and human factors. Therefore, the researcher strongly recommended that systematic intervention and immediate conservation work is needed to save the potential tourism resources of the study area from further damage and for sustainable tourism development.

Keywords: Tourism resources, Documentation, Management practice, Jimma town