(KT Press)-{Rwanda tourism revenues increased from $293m in 2013, to $303m in 2014, representing a 3% increase, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) says. } <\/p>\n
Between July 2013 and June 2014, Rwanda received 1.17 million visitors, compared to the previous year with 1.14 million tourists.<\/p>\n
RDB targets hitting $860m mark by 2016. However, experts warn that the target is too ambitious and may not be attained due to different shortfalls, especially in the quality of services.<\/p>\n
“When you look at Rwanda’s tourism growth in a regional perspective, a lot needs to be done,” said Joseph Opondo, a lecturer at Rwanda Tourism University. “There should be more efforts in improving services in different sectors of this country.”<\/p>\n
Opondo said that this is because Rwanda has a few tourism institutions that cannot produce professionals that satisfy services in this growing economy. <\/p>\n
But RDB says a number of initiatives such as Meetings, Incentives, Conferences (MICE), new tourism products including Religious Tourism, Caves Tourism in Rwanda’s Northern Province, are vital tools for increasing tourism revenues. <\/p>\n
The country is also investing in tourism marketing on the regional and international level, with liaison offices in various countries.<\/p>\n
Rwanda was recently named a ‘must see destination’ by CNN Fodor’s Travel. <\/p>\n
To push the sector growth, since 2013, nationals of all African countries traveling to or transiting through Rwanda are issued entry visa upon arrival at any Rwandan entry point. <\/p>\n
Moses Rutayisire, the Coordinator of Tourism Chamber at Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF) told KTPress that there are three projects; Kalisimbi cable car on Kalisimbi Mountain, Lake Kivu boat services and a cultural village that will generate huge volumes in the next few years.<\/p>\n
Once Kalisimbi cable car services are in place by 2017, this could increase tourism revenues from mountain gorilla trekking. <\/p>\n
Rwanda’s tourism has risen astoundingly in past decade, growing from $62m in 2000, to the current figures, with Gorilla permits counting for the largest portion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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