RWANDA NAMED THE LEADING AFRICAN DESTINATION FOR PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM GOALS
Dubbed the land of a thousand Hills, Rwanda is one of the best African destinations you will ever visit in a lifetime. What this country offers is immeasurable and beyond the ordinary. Is it gorillas trekking safaris? Or the diverse cultures and hospitality of the people or else the spectacular landscapes, one of the most verdant and cleanest cities in the continent. Rwanda has it all hence the reasons why thousands of tourists flock to the country and numerous investment companies have picked keen interest in this fast rising African destination. After the 1994 Genocide that claimed lives of over 800,000 people, this country is now a comeback kid with numerous attractive places hence making it to compete with rising tourism.
The 41st Annual World Tourism Conference hosted by Africa Tourism Association from 28th to 31st August in Kigali attracted more than 300 World Tourism leaders like the media, policy makers, Pioneers in the travel and trade industry, and Ministers of Tourism from various countries among others. This event was for the first time held within the land of a thousand Hills since its establishment in 1975. Due to the efforts put to make Rwanda a Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Events (MICE) hub that involves establishment of Convention Centers, she has become one of the best destinations in Africa. Notable Convention Centers in the country include Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Center as well as the Kigali Convention Center (where the 41st World Tourism Conference was conducted).
With the tireless efforts put in conservation of tourism resources, marketing and investment in the industry, it is currently flourishing. In 2016, the tourism sector generated over $404 million hence making it to compete with coffee whereas in Kigali City (Rwanda’s Capital), a state of art new convention Center is one of the Government’s numerous plans to develop the City as a main Business Hub.
Interestingly, the Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Center together with Marriott International have established over 200 Hotel rooms to accommodate the large numbers of travelers flocking to the land of a thousand hills for business, leisure and holidays, especially gorilla trekking safaris. The Rwanda Development Board (the tourism governing) body expects to earn over $444 million in 2017 from the tourism industry up from the $404 million received in 2016. Out of that, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) is projected to generate at least $64 million in 2017 from $47 earned the previous year.
Not only that, Rwandair which is the National carrier launched the direct flights from Kigali to London in May 2017 with the inbound route flying through the Brussels in Belgium so as to ensure easier connectivity of tourists from other parts of the World to Rwanda. During the celebration of annual World Tourism Day on the 27th September 2017, this small country was acknowledged for its endeavors towards sustainable tourism development through developing several eco-lodges, sustainable home-stays, sustainable transportation facilities, energy, real-estate construction as well as conservation of wildlife in the National Parks.
Mr. Clarence Fernandes, the chairman of Rwandan Renaissance, an Indian-based firm that mainly deals in the promotion of culture, tourism, investment and trade between Rwanda and India pointed that most of the country’s initiatives make her adorable and very competitive in the World Tourism market.
While speaking in the World Tourism Conclave and Awards conducted on the 26th September in Mumbai where Rwanda Renaissance was also recognized for supporting sustainable tourism development, he said that the promotion of bilateral tourism and cultural relations between these two wonderful countries is a milestone for the industry.
Besides Rwanda, the tourism industry of South Africa as well as another agency in the African continent also received the same Award. The event was attended by stakeholders of the Global tourism industry, persons from Climate Reality, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, dignitaries from the different corners of the World in addition to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. Not to forget, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) declared 2017 as the International Year for Sustainable Tourism and Rwanda among the best African destination together with South Africa.