Rwanda registers an increase in the number of tourists

The Rwanda Development Board’s Tourism and Conservation Department recently released information revealing an increase in the tourist arrivals and also confirmed the continued trend of growth with in the tourism sector. According to the records, the number of arrival in 2013 increased by 6% to 1.137.000 visitors and then the earnings increased by 4% to now 293.6 million US Dollars.

This increase makes tourism once again the leading economic sector in Rwanda, leading agriculture with products like tea and coffee. This is an indicator that 2014 will also show some more growth again.

At the moment, Rwanda is participating in the world’s largest tourism fair, ITB which is in Berlin-Germany and there, Rwanda is sharing a stand with neighbors Uganda and Kenya. As one of this year’s major aspects which is promotion of tourism products through the use of the long awaited common tourist Visa for Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya was launched too.     

Lower than usual sales forecasts though for gorilla permits have brought to the forefront some concerns if, like in neighboring Uganda Rwanda too should introduce a low season rate, which in Uganda now stands at 350 US Dollars for foreign nonresident visitors to the prized gorillas compared to the 600 US Dollars charged during the high season for a gorilla permit in Uganda while Rwanda charges US Dollars 750 all through the year.

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