It is for the third time that Rwanda has attended such a fair that is taking place in ‘Palais des Festivals’, the only building that hosts world cinema exhibition on a global level. Cannes is renowned for being a meeting point of world’s cinema celebrities.
ILTM presents the world’s most desirable destinations, luxurious accommodations, convenient transport facilities, and unique travel experiences. The exhibiting companies are hand-picked and must possess a good reputation as the fair to demanding international tourists directed.
It links buyers, sellers, and high-level tourism stakeholders. It is organized throughout the world in groups of Africa, Asia, South America, Cannes, Arab countries and China.
In all times that Rwanda has attended, it was represented by private tourism sellers from Rwanda, assisted by the Government of Rwanda through RDB.
A team of Rwandans who are attending the tourism fair is comprised of Robert Gakimbiri of Primate Safaris, Rosette Chantal Rugamba of Songa Africa and Amakoro Lodge, and Elise Milenge of Charleston Travel and Tours.
There are also Manzi Kayihura of Thousand Hills Africa, Robert V. of Wilderness Safaris, Uber Wilderness Safaris, Mwaka of Uber Luxe Safaris, Habba A. of Akagera Aviation, Claudine Rubagumya and Linda Mutesi of RDB.
On the first day, Rwanda, as one of the sponsors as seen on the clothes worn by the participants, was given a first opportunity to show the international media where it stands in touristic activities and encouraging them to publicize the country.
Linda Mutesi representing RDB, in her speech, explained comprehensively the development of tourism in Rwanda, by showcasing the uniqueness and achievements of the sector which portray Rwanda as a beautiful destination in terms of high-quality tourism.
Mutesi also encouraged sellers of travel who are converging in the fair to visit Rwanda and invest money in the country.
Rwanda’s tourism revenues hit $438 million in 2017, with an increase of $34 million compared to 2016.
Increase in tourism incomes is justified because the country reintroduced more species of animals Akagera Park. The animals fall under five major species: rhinoceros, lions, buffalos, elephants, and leopards, the animals believed to attract many tourists.
While it appears that the number of foreign tourists visiting Rwanda’s beautiful parts is high,
RDB in late 2016 launched a domestic tourism campaign dubbed Tembera u Rwanda, loosely translated as “Explore Rwanda”, aimed at encouraging Rwandans and foreign nationals living in Rwanda to go out and explore the country more, in a bid to spur growth in the sector.
That Rwanda is ranked high in terms of hosting international meetings and tourism profits increase, is also thanks to the fact that foreigners get visas on arriving in the country.
Meanwhile, the fact that the national carrier, RwandAir, has many destinations worldwide, and hence facilitating more people to come to Rwanda, is also a source of tourism development.
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