RWANDA TOURS
PRIVATE SECTOR NOT HAPPY WITH THE NEW GORILLA PERMIT PRICES
The private sector of Rwanda that is involved in tourism and hospitality industry has disagreed with the current increase of gorilla permit by 50% because it might endanger their business. The non residents will pay $750 from $500, Rwandan national will pay $50 from $33 and foreigners staying in Rwanda will pay $375 instead of $250.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has said starting from 1st June 2012, the gorilla permit will increase and booking that will be made or have been made before this date will not be affected.
The private sector has said this increase without first warning people will have to affect the industry and the country’s image.
The mountain gorillas have been one of Rwanda’s top tourism revenue earners contributing 90% of the park revenue earned in the country.
The chairman of tourism chamber of Rwanda’s Private Sector Federation (PSF) said this will lead to a negative impact on the business and the tourism industry and the government would have first consulted them before.
John Gara , the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RDB said there has been this increment because the increase in the number of gorillas and the increase in gorilla tourism. There is also need to maintain the hard work in conservation in order to protect their environment and that in the national parks.
According to Gorilla Census that was conducted in April 2010, the number has increased by 26.3% in the last seven years.
