Rwanda’s unique tourism strategy benefiting communities, propelling development

Author: Emmanuel Mutebi

• 2023-11-03 05:30:00

Volcanoes and waterbodies of Rwanda are among the country's features attracting tourists.

Conservation is acknowledged worldwide as a prerequisite for sustainable tourism and economic development. And Rwanda’s conservation journey has progressed enormously, with the country well known for addressing large-scale challenges in conservation.

Kigali is hosting the World Travel and Tourism  Global Summit, an influential event on the Travel and Tourism calendar that brings together thousands of industry leaders, experts and government officials to continue aligning efforts to support the sector’s growth and move towards a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

The 23rd WTTC Global Summit, from November 1 to 3, will provide a great platform to build bridges across the tourism and travel ecosystem, and co-design a sustainable future for the sector to achieve its full potential.

"Rwanda is the perfect venue for our Global Summit, as the sector embarks on a significant new chapter. Africa has the world’s youngest population and by 2033, $1 in every $13 created in Africa, will come from Travel and Tourism and 1 in 17 jobs will be in the sector. This demonstrates the huge potential the continent’s sector has for new jobs and new economic growth for young people across Africa,” WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson said.

Rwanda's commitment to conservation goes beyond the realm of wildlife protection, and extends these gains to the local communities as well.

The tourism industry continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors in Rwanda, generating millions of dollars in revenue each year. The $247 million generated in the first half of 2023, was a 56 per cent increase compared to $158 million in the same period in 2022. The country aims to increase tourism receipts to $800 million by 2024.

Tourism has played a major role in helping local communities; with one of the major tourism initiatives being the Revenue Share Programme introduced – in 2005 by the government – to guide investment in areas surrounding the country’s national parks.

Over $1.28 million has been distributed by the government to more than 158 community-based projects that have availed clean drinking water, health centers, classrooms and housing to members of the communities living around the three national parks; Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Volcanoes National Park.

Due to this initiative, local communities own and benefit from the conservation of wildlife, hence reduce illegal activities such as poaching which would harm their environment. It further facilitates in compensating farmers whose businesses, especially farming, were ruined by wild animals.

Community involvement has had such a huge influence on conservation as people who used to be poachers are now dedicated protectors of wildlife.

The revenue sharing scheme made communities living around national parks register more improvement in terms of development.

Rwanda attracted about 110,000 visitors to its national parks in 2022, registering an increase of 142.4 per cent from 2021.

In 2005, Rwanda began naming mountain gorillas (Kwita Izina) in what has become a global celebration of nature. By giving names to these ‘majestic’ animals, they are given the value they deserve.

Kwita Izina is modelled off a centuries-old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends.

The ceremony’s meaning goes beyond just naming baby gorillas. Rwanda not only celebrates the birth of baby mountain gorillas but also the country’s commitment to conservation as a major part of its strategies and priorities.

At the core of Rwanda's conservation story is its strategy of "high value, low-volume" tourism for gorilla trekking. This calibrated approach limits the number of daily visitors to each gorilla family, ensuring minimal disturbance to these magnificent creatures.

This fosters an intimate connection between tourists and gorillas and propels economic development.

To date, Rwanda has established itself as a leading eco-tourism destination and a global conference hub. It has a high quality and diversified tourism product that makes a great contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.