In 2023, Rwanda’s tourism sector experienced remarkable growth, with revenue soaring to $620 million, marking a significant 36 percent increase from the previous year’s $445 million. This surge in revenue, driven by 1.4 million visitors, showcases a remarkable recovery rate of 124 percent from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, surpassing pre-pandemic revenues of 2019.
Rwanda’s emphasis on promoting domestic tourism played a pivotal role in this growth, with domestic tourism contributing $47.7 million to the total revenue. Notably, visits to national parks surged, generating $35.79 million in revenue, with Volcanoes National Park leading the way with a 38 percent increase in visitors, followed by Akagera National Park with 24 percent, and Nyungwe National Park with 10 percent.
Furthermore, the designation of Nyungwe National Park as a World Heritage site in 2023 further bolstered Rwanda’s tourism appeal. The Rwanda Development Board’s (RDB) revenue-sharing initiative with communities residing near the national parks resulted in the disbursement of Rwf2 billion for various projects, including agriculture, infrastructure, and community enterprises, fostering local development and engagement.
Michaella Rugwizangoga, Chief Tourism Officer at RDB, attributed this growth to Rwanda’s strategic positioning as a unique high-end, low-volume, eco-tourism destination, alongside concerted conservation efforts. She highlighted the country’s active participation in global tourism events and partnerships with prominent hospitality brands as key drivers of this remarkable expansion.
Looking ahead, Rugwizangoga expressed optimism for sustained growth, citing promising performance indicators in the first quarter of 2021 and anticipating further gains in the upcoming high season. Plans include attracting additional hospitality brands, diversifying tourism offerings, and expanding leisure products tailored to families.
Despite regulatory measures affecting nightlife, the leisure segment of tourism saw a robust 48 percent increase in revenue compared to 2022, totalling $236 million. Additionally, the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) industry generated $95 million in revenue from 160 events attended by 65,000 delegates.
Experts in the MICE industry lauded Rwanda’s infrastructure investments, promotional strategies, safety measures, and visa-free regime, positioning the country as a premier destination in Africa.
The revenue milestone achieved in 2023 brings Rwanda closer to its $800 million target by 2024, outlined in the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1). Rugwizangoga emphasized the sector’s resilience and outlined strategies for achieving the ambitious goal, including extending visitors’ length of stay, promoting Rwanda as a unified destination, and developing religious and cultural tourism products.
Efforts to enhance service quality and compliance included rigorous inspections and re-assessments of hotels for star ratings, reflecting Rwanda’s commitment to excellence in the hospitality sector.
Francis Gatare, CEO of RDB, underscored priority investments in key sectors to foster inclusive growth and resilience, underscoring the pivotal role of tourism in Rwanda’s economic development agenda.
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