Rwanda Development Board, in partnership with Solimar International, a Washington DC-based tourism development and marketing firm, are in a campaign to promote Rwanda’s tourism potential.
According to RDB, the US company brings an extensive international expertise and vast experience working in East Africa to boost the country’s top foreign exchange earner.
The New Times reported that the 18 months campaign which is geared towards promoting Rwanda amongst the East African Community (EAC) states will focus on distinguishing the country from neighbouring destinations by informing EAC nationals, expatriates and international travellers about the country’s extensive nature and culture-based tourism attractions.
Effective New Year’s Day, tourists visiting the East African countries of Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda use a single visa to tour areas of interest within the specified nations.
The $100 (about Rwf67,500) visa valid for 90 days is paid at the point of entry or in foreign missions and each state will take a share of $30.
However, the country that processes the visa entry will receive an extra $10 in administration costs.
“This is a prime opportunity for Rwanda that comes after the launch of the East African single joint visa and the broad global recognition of Rwanda’s exceptional nature, culture, and adventure experiences in publications like National Geographic Traveller and Conde Naste Traveller,” David C. Brown, the director of marketing and communication at Solimar International, told The New Times via e-mail on Tuesday.
Brown, who heads the campaign, said the drive will increase the flow of tourists coming to Rwanda from other EAC countries.
“We will work with RDB and members of the regional and international tourism industry, including tour operators, travel agents, airlines, and transportation providers to better understand Rwanda’s tourism offer and how they can sell it to their clientele. We will be speaking directly to EAC tourism consumers through social and traditional media,” he said.
The campaign is designed to be an important component of reaching the RDB’s target of a 10 per cent increase in EAC arrivals within two years, says RDB.
During the 18-month drive, RDB and Solimar International will apply various activities to showcase Rwanda’s tourism industry to the world, including the use of maps, photos, videos, mobile apps, and an online destination specialist course that provides detailed information on travel logistics and tourism attractions.
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