The need to develop a sustainable tourism is a primary concern because of the growing impactrnand complexity of the tourism sector across the global community. The pro-poor tourism conceptrnin this study is aimed at helping the tourism sector in generating net benefits to the poor. Thernresearch entitled the opportunities and challenges for sustainable pro-poor tourism developmentrnin Awi zone: A Case Zengena and its surrounding aims to assess the benefits and opportunitiesrnfor sustainable pro-poor tourism development, the challenges that hinder the development ofrnsustainable pro-poor tourism and the involvement and awareness level of tourism stakeholders.rnA descriptive cross-sectional study design with qualitative and quantitative research methodsrnwas used. Samples for interviewer administered questionnaire were taken from the localrncommunities and tourists using simple random sampling. A purposive sampling technique wasrnused to required samples for in-depth interview from the tourism experts, local tour guides,rnmonastery administrator, hotel managers and lodge managers. Data was collected using bothrnprimary and secondary data sources. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 andrnqualitative data through text narration. Totally 118 study participants were included in thernstudy, 109 for the quantitative and 9 for the qualitative study. The tourism experts and otherrnstudy participants reported that Zengena & its surrounding have many unexploited tourismrnbusiness potentials that improve the sustainability of pro-poor tourism development. There was arngood initiation to engage in small & micro enterprises related to tourism business. The mostrnmentioned business opportunities reported were opportunities of being a tour guide, souvenirrnshopping, agricultural product marketing and other employment opportunities. On the otherrnhand, Lack of local community participation towards sustainable tourism development was thernmost mentioned challenge. Generally Zengena and its surrounding have multiple unexploredrntourism potentials with numerous business opportunities. However, various challenges werernmentioned by the study participants that needs an immediate attention from all the concernedrnstakeholders