This week, 11 international tour operators with offices in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will visit Rwanda for as part of a Rwanda Development Board (RDB) initiative to increase awareness of the country’s diverse tourism opportunities and generate more tourism sales.
“The East African Community is an important growth area for Rwanda’s tourism industry”, said Ambassador Yamina Karitanyi, Head of the RDB’s Tourism & Conservation Department. “The goal of this guided trip is to demonstrate to these high-value tour operators that Rwanda is a multi-day destination with a rich selection of cultural and natural experiences.”
Visiting tour operators will eyewitness that beyond gorillas’ visit, Rwanda offers varied and easily accessible experiences which expand visitors stay thanks to new and well packaged tourism products. There are now more than five globally renowned hotels, and together with the private sector there is a will to transform Rwanda into a high end tourism destination as important tourism infrastructure is being developed.
The RDB has set an ambitious goal of 10% increase in visitation year-over-year and wants to see tourism revenue increasing at 25% in 2020. The East African market is an essential component in meeting this target. The timing of this particular effort is strategic.
Rwanda provides an exciting destination for many of the tour operators that are visiting. The country’s perception as a safe and clean destination provides a desirable sales alternative or contemporary products for travel companies that have heavily relied on Safari Bookings and Indian Ocean beach trips.
The international tour operators will visit Kigali, Rubavu, Musanze, Volcanoes National Park, and Nyungwe National Park. The program will conclude with a networking session with local Rwandan tour operators, hoteliers, and tourism service providers in order to create new working business relationships.
The regional tour operators visit is sponsored by the Hôtel des Mille Collines by Kempinski, RwandAir, Serena Kivu, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Republika Lounge, Volcanoes Safaris and Primates Safaris.