How Rwanda Earns $438m from Tourism?

Rwanda is one of the east African countries that is situated in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. This country is one of the blessed countries that is endowed with the endangered mountain gorillas found in volcanoes national park, making the country among the best destinations in Africa that offers the best experience for gorilla trekking.

Despite of this country going through difficult moment of suffering with the genocide but the country currently is only the hospitable countries in Africa. Safaris in Rwanda are always remarkable. With the amazing transformation of the entire country and working hard in promoting tourism in the country, Rwanda has reaped big from tourism according to a latest report by Rwanda Development Board (RDB). They also gave some of the reasons how they managed to reap hugely from tourism;

According to the report it is cited that Rwanda generated $ 438 million in 2017 only from the tourism sector compared to the previous year where it was $404 million. This rise has constituted 50 percent of all service exports of the country.

Sabyinyo Lodge Rwanda – 5 Star

The Rwanda Development Board analyzed that the highest revenue was got from travelers who are within the east African community constituting about 25 percent, followed by the European market which was at 22 percent and the rest of the 21 percent came from the African and American countries.

Rwanda has recorded an increase in terms of meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) compared to the previous year. In 2016, meetings increased from 23,804 to 28,308 in 2017, incentives, conferences and exhibitions contributing $42 million in 2017 from $47 million. Rwanda is using (MICE) as a strategy to make the country a tourism and international conference hub. According to a report by the Rwanda Development Board cites that MICE revenue has increased from the last decade by about 180 percent with a better rise in the number delegates visiting Rwanda jumped from 15,000 to 28,300.

Rwanda has held a number of big summits which took place in Kigali with even some still set to take place during the coming months, this year the country is expected to host some high profile meetings including the upcoming 8th FIFA council meeting by the end of this year.

Most of the revenue from tourism in Rwanda is obtained from business travelers constituting 33 percent followed by visits at 29 percent and holiday makers constituted 27 percent.

When it comes to national parks, Volcanoes national earned the highest revenue of about $17.1 million constituting to 90 percent of all parks’ revenue despite of attracting only 38 percent of travelers. In volcanoes national park, because this is where mountain gorillas are found, gorilla tickets increased by 14.1 percent to over $18 million while permit sales rose by 3.5 percent. Akagera park has also contributed about $1 million, attracting 44,000 travelers in the year 2017 with Nyungwe attracting 14000 travelers.

According to the report by Rwanda Development Board showed that Rwanda’s tourism attractions are reaching over 137 million people globally. As the country positions itself to be one of the leading Africa’s leading tourist destination.  This was confirmed through the familiarization trips, participation in international travel trade shows and through the regional and international fairs.

However the reach is to rise significantly following the agreement with one of the top English premier league teams, Arsenal Football Club.

The Rwanda airlines which is Rwanda’s national carrier has significantly improved accessibility to Rwanda, because the airline is having multiple flights to various destinations hence bringing visitors into the country leading to increased tourism benefits.

Tourism in Rwanda is expected to grow in 2018 mainly by improving on visa regimes, safety, security, investment in hospitality infrastructure. According to experts they said the sector should improve on the quality of the services within the tourism sector to gain competitive advantage.

The Rwanda Development Board reports that Rwanda’s tourism has the largest foreign exchange earner which has generated 90000 jobs for the citizens of Rwanda. The big goal is to double tourism revenues to $800 million by 2024.