Category: Tourism

In 2008, the park was recognized for its cultural significance and designated to inherit and promote national intangible heritage.

With a strong emphasis on preserving intangible cultural heritage, the park is dedicated to reviving ancient firing techniques while simultaneously promoting and preserving traditional glaze-making skills.

It meticulously protects and perpetuates traditional glaze-making techniques by producing colored glaze using ancient methods, all while adhering to modern environmental standards. Alongside this, the park engages in research and development of glaze construction materials and innovative creative products.

Since December 2020, the park has undergone significant upgrades and renovations. These improvements include the reconstruction of ancient kilns and the establishment of a new factory floor, designed to preserve ancient firing techniques and achieve carbon neutrality. The park has also inaugurated a research center, a museum dedicated to colored-glaze culture, an experience center, and allocated office spaces.

Looking forward, the park aims to further its mission of promoting colored glaze and, by extension, intangible cultural heritage. Its vision includes becoming a renowned brand in the realm of colored-glaze culture.

The park aspires to develop a cluster dedicated to intangible cultural heritage, making it a must-visit destination for tourists and setting a benchmark for the protection and revitalization of intangible heritages.

To achieve this, the park plans to host a series of cultural activities, conduct relevant research and exchanges, and develop cultural and creative products. Additionally, it seeks to integrate intangible heritage culture with contemporary art and culture, ensuring the successful and sustainable operation of the park.

This philosophy wasn’t just about expansion but was a focused effort on high-quality development, particularly in the leisure industry, to meet the refined demands of today’s tourists.

As the world moves towards a more consumer-centric era, Pinggu’s initiatives are aligning with Beijing’s ambition to become an international center for consumers. The concept of transforming Pinggu into a World Leisure Valley is both a response to and a catalyst for this transformation, recognizing the district’s ecological and historical richness as invaluable assets.

The blueprint for this transformation, the World Leisure Valley Conceptual Plan, is a masterclass in strategic leisure planning. It envisages a leisure landscape that includes a network of scenic spots interwoven with local towns and villages around the central hub of Jinhai Lake. This initiative plans to go beyond conventional tourism by creating 20 all-inclusive rural leisure complexes that operate under a dual-use system—serving both leisure and emergency needs.

These complexes are part of a broader scheme to cultivate an immersive leisure consumption culture. By integrating cultural experiences with consumer activities, Pinggu is setting up a diverse industry chain that caters to all ages and preferences, from health-focused leisure products to agricultural tourism that allows visitors to engage directly with modern farming practices.

The dual-use strategy extends into the construction and revitalization of rural areas, where previously idle land is being transformed into high-quality leisure complexes under the unified brand “Taozui Pinggu.” This initiative not only redefines rural tourism but also opens new avenues for economic growth, with projects like the Nanshan Village community setting the template for future developments.

Cultural empowerment is another cornerstone of Pinggu’s strategy. Recognized as a national cultural industry empowerment pilot area in 2023, Pinggu has successfully merged its cultural hallmarks—like its famed peaches and unique violin craftsmanship—with its tourism strategies.

The district’s commitment to culture was showcased spectacularly at the Beijing Land Art Festival, which drew 60,000 visitors to admire the creativity displayed by local and international artists. This cultural push continued with the creation of the Pinggu Nanshan Art Season in partnership with Tsinghua University, further enriching the local cultural landscape.

Seasonal festivals under the “Taozui Pinggu” brand have become key events, drawing visitors year-round with themed celebrations that range from peach blossoms in spring to cultural fairs in winter. These festivals not only celebrate Pinggu’s agricultural heritage but also enhance its economic profile.

Innovatively, Pinggu is also redefining leisure with the introduction of the “Camping+” model, which blends traditional camping with cultural and entertainment offerings, setting a trend that other regions are keen to follow. The district’s coffee culture is also thriving, with festivals like the Shandongzhuang Town Rural Coffee Culture Festival turning into major economic and social events.

With a blend of ecological preservation, cultural enrichment, and innovative leisure activities, Pinggu is truly crafting a future where tourism is synonymous with quality, culture, and sustainability.

This leading global event for the tourism industry annually attracts over 10,000 exhibitors and sees attendance exceeding 160,000 visitors.

The exhibition serves as a platform for various tourism stakeholders, including hotels, tour operators, and representatives from institutions dedicated to the sector’s growth in their respective countries.

This year, Rwanda’s delegation is led by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), alongside a diverse group of exhibitors.

Notable Rwandan companies at the fair include Wilderness Rwanda, Wanderlux Safaris, Wolf DMC, Kingfisher Journeys, Primate Safaris LTD, Akagera Aviation, RwandAir, African Parks, Mythos Boutique Hotel, among others.

The RDB is poised to engage in several meetings during the event, aimed at bolstering Rwanda’s tourism on the international stage.

In a conversation with IGIHE, RDB’s Chief Tourism Officer, Michaella Rugwizangoga, highlighted Rwanda’s consistent participation since 2000, underlining the substantial benefits derived from the exhibition.

“This year, RDB, along with 21 partner companies, is showcasing Rwanda’s tourism offerings. Our ongoing presence since 2000 has been instrumental in discussions with leading tourism entities, reinforcing Rwanda’s status as a premier destination for luxury tourism,” she explained.

Rugwizangoga also noted that one of the key opportunities for Rwanda at this year’s fair is the chance for RDB representatives to connect with high-level tourists from Germany, further promoting Rwanda’s tourism potential.

karirima@igihe.com

Rwanda Development Board (RDB), on 5th January 2024, announced a reduction in the cost of gorilla trekking permits. The permit fees for gorilla trekking are now reduced from $1500 to $500 for foreign residents.

Gorilla permits for Africans outside the East African Community will now cost $500 while gorilla trekking permits for East Africans will cost $200 per person. This is expected to boost Rwanda’s tourism sector and make gorilla trekking more accessible to a wider range of tourists.

Frank Muzungu, the Managing Director of Kigali Car Rentals said the move by RDB could see an increase in local and regional tourists.

“With these reduced prices for both domestic and regional tourists, we are going to witness increased local tourists. This year begins on a positive note and the sector is upbeat. Thanks to RDB’s new price policy,” said Muzungu, MD of Kigali Car Rentals.

“Campaigns like Visit Rwanda with some of Europe’s top football teams like Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and PSG have seen an increase in foreign tourists coming to the country and the number will be much bigger this year hence an increase in tourism revenues,” Muzungu the managing Director Kigali Car Rental said.

Muzungu says with the government’s strategy of a private sector-led economy, many private players have been able to join the sector to provide competitive quality services, some of which are cross-border which has facilitated tourism across the region.

“We have added flexible offers such as the self-drive package where tourists or groups can rent cars, drive themselves and if they are exiting the country through another EAC country, they don’t have to drive back to Rwanda. They deposit it at our outlet in the country of exit and proceed with their journey,” Muzungu explained.

According to Darius Do Santos, of Darius Tours and Travel, a tour company that operates across East Africa, the decision by the Rwandan government will be a gamechanger, in the sense that the rates are now favourable, especially for tourists looking to take advantage of the EAC Single Tourist Visa.

The move is also likely to have a positive impact on Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorilla population.

By increasing the number of visitors, the government hopes to raise awareness of the plight of the mountain gorillas and generate more funds to protect them.

The recent tourism statistics reveal that Rwanda’s revenues from tourism amounted to US$247 million during the first half of 2023, reflecting a notable 56% surge compared to the US$158 million reported during the same period in 2022.

This growth came on the backdrop of a successful previous year where figures show that Rwanda’s tourism revenues had increased to US$445 million in 2022, up 171.3 percent from the previous year, with nature-based tourism bearing the potential to drive the country’s economic growth.

Gorilla trekking generated revenues of US$113 million, as RDB revealed in a report released recently.

The country attracted about 110,000 visitors to its national parks in 2022, registering an increase of 142.4 percent from 2021, the report said. It added that the country aims to increase tourism receipts to 800 million dollars by 2024.

The services sector, mainly tourism and hospitality, played a significant role, contributing 46% to the GDP, followed by the agriculture sector at 25%, the industry sector at 21%, and net direct taxes accounting for 7%.

The country’s tourism revenues are on a rise partly due to initiatives instituted by the government to revitalize the industry and sector players like tour operators who have made it easy for both local and international visitors to move around the country and the region easily.

Government investment in the sector and international sports brands like Visit Rwanda with some of Europe’s top football teams have seen foreign tourists flocking the country, thus increasing tourism revenues boosting the economy.

With the government’s strategy of a private sector led economy, many private players have been able to join the sector to provide competitive quality services, some of which are cross-border which has facilitated tourism across the region.

George Kimani, from Kenya commended the cross border initiatives in Rwanda’s tourism sector which allowed him self-drive services from Rwanda’s Volcano National Park home to the famous gorilla crossing into Uganda.

“I found this a good initiative where it offers a full-package with all services in one and I think this will help grow the tourism sector in the country and the region. It also comes cheaper compared to using different service providers at every point,” said Kimani.

Rwanda’s tourism, like many other countries around the globe, is recovering from the challenges caused by Covid-19 pandemic as global tourism and travel fell sharply in the wake of this pandemic.

Current tourism statistics reveal that Rwanda’s revenues from tourism amounted to US$247 million during the first half of 2023, reflecting a notable 56% surge compared to the US$158 million reported during the same period in 2022.

This growth came on the backdrop of a successful previous year where figures show that Rwanda’s tourism revenues had increased to US$445 million in 2022, up 171.3 percent from the previous year, with nature-based tourism bearing the potential to drive the country’s economic growth.

Gorilla trekking, a unique tourist attraction in the East African country, generated revenues of US$113 million, the government institution, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), said in a report released recently.

The country attracted about 110,000 visitors to its national parks in 2022, registering an increase of 142.4 percent from 2021, the report said. It added that the country aims to increase tourism receipts to 800 million dollars by 2024.

However, tour operators including Kigali car rentals and tours say that the tourism sector is showing positive signs of recovering and expect better business returns as tourists have resumed travels and this will boost the sector and the economy in general.

“The economy suffered globally many of our colleagues closed shop due to the pandemic but we have witnessed recovery during this year and tourists have returned local, regional and international and this will boost the economy and tourism business eco-system,” Frank Muzungu, the Managing Director of Kigali car rentals and tours, a tour operating company.

According to the report, in 2022, Rwanda welcomed a total of more than 1.1 million international visitors. Of these, the report showed, more than 60 per cent came from African countries, highlighting the country’s growing popularity as a destination within the continent.

According to RDB, the path to economic recovery is well on course.

“In 2022, I am delighted to report that we continued to make significant progress in our efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth, despite the global challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic,” reads the RDB statement adding that “our achievements in the tourism sector were satisfactory.”

Also, in an effort to diversify and maximize opportunities, RDB and Mandai Park Development, a private company in Singapore, signed a partnership agreement to establish the Nyungwe Experience at Mandai Park. This project will highlight Rwanda’s eco-luxury tourism offerings and draw visitors from Singapore and around the globe to Rwanda.

Rwanda’s overall strategic vision is to focus on high-end ecotourism rather than mass tourism. In the first Rwanda Tourism Strategy, three core market segments were identified: eco travelers, explorers, and business travelers.

Presence of important business challenges to the development of Rwanda’s tourism industry and access to financial capital, lack of qualified human resources, and limited understanding of customer needs have been identified as three business challenges that undermine Rwanda’s tourism industry’s ability to compete.

Lake Kivu, surrounded by magnificent mountains and serene waters, offering a peaceful place to unwind.

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The recent ‘Service Excellence Awards’ declared Tung Chinese Cuisine as the prestigious “Restaurant of the Year.” These awards, celebrating their eighth edition, are organized by Kalisimbi Events and its partners.

The Chairman of Century Park Hotel and Residence, Cheung Yiu Tung Billy, ascribes the achievement of Tung Chinese Cuisine as the “Restaurant of the Year” to their unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding services.

“The secret is that we always strive to improve, no matter how skilled one is. We believe there is always room for improvement. This philosophy has been instrumental in our journey to excellence. We work closely together to consistently enhance the quality of our services,” he shared.

In addition to his words of encouragement, Cheung urged the residents of Rwanda to savor the flavors of Chinese cuisine, which are beloved worldwide. He emphasized their ongoing efforts to pique the interest of the local populace in Chinese dishes and welcomed potential clients in Kigali to indulge in culinary delights at Tung Chinese Cuisine.

Tung Chinese Cuisine stands out not only for its culinary prowess but also for its spacious garden, offering a relaxing atmosphere for guests. The restaurant’s garden area provides a perfect setting for leisurely enjoyment and various recreational activities for children.

A carefully curated selection of hotel rooms and restaurant/bar promotions awaits, promising to elevate your stay in Kigali.

Hotel Room Special:

Guests can immerse themselves in a world of comfort within beautifully decorated, modern, and exquisitely furnished rooms and suites.

For the ultimate East African Staycation, take advantage of our exclusive promotion priced at $150, available exclusively to Rwandans, residents, and East Africans. This offer allows you to experience the vibrant culture and breathtaking scenery of Africa, right at your doorstep. With top-notch amenities and exceptional service, you’ll find it hard to leave. Terms and conditions apply.

Food & Drinks Specials:

Discover a variety of daily food and drink events that the hotel has in store for you. Why rush home on weekends when you can reserve a room and leisurely enjoy our Friday events?

Throughout the week, there’s something for everyone:

Mondays to Thursdays: Happy Hour

Enjoy special pricing on your favorite beverages while unwinding with colleagues or friends at our Brew Bar.

Wednesdays: Beer & Burger Promo

Savor the perfect pairing of a juicy burger and a refreshing beer at our Brew Bar.

Thursdays: Bottomless Pizza

Delight in endless slices of delectable pizza with friends and family at Coco Fizz Bar.

Fridays: Ladies Night

Ladies, it’s your night to shine with exclusive drink offers and a fantastic atmosphere.

Saturdays: Brunch – Delicacy of the World

Kickstart your weekend with a sumptuous brunch that caters to every craving at our Fp Social.

Sundays: Fam-cation

Create lasting memories as you gather your family for family-friendly games and meals by the pool with our family package at Coco Fizz.

Any Day: Sports Live Screening

Catch your favorite sports events on the big screen while enjoying the ambiance.

For more information, please contact us at +250 788 163 100, visit our website, and follow social media platforms for updates and promotions.