The Rwanda Tourism Board is considered the best example in sub-Saharan Africa of how to organize and improve tourism development and put in place a viable system. Speaking of the fact that Rwanda has gone through a traumatic history of the 1994 genocide that saw most Rwandans die, others were displaced, it goes without saying that Rwanda has picked up the pieces of that history and is now doing well in compared to Uganda which has at least at least been stable for some time!
Representatives from the newly established Uganda Tourism Board were in Kigali recently to meet with the RTB. UTB President Roni Madhvani said that although tourism in Uganda is doing well and is actually the fastest growing activity in the country, tourism in Rwanda is slightly better than Uganda, and that is evidently explained in the travel market recently held in Berlin, Germany, where Rwanda showcased the hottest stole and Africa’s best emerged.
The impressive achievements in Rwanda inspired them to come together, see and share what had been achieved so far. He said that since Rwanda and Uganda had such diverse products and different markets, they could never compete with each other. Roni told reporters at a press conference that Rwanda is a showcase in Africa when it comes to encouraging infrastructure, policies and products.
Ms. Grace Mbabazi, from the Ugandan Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry, told the media that four years ago they had received just over 100,000 visitors. Last year arrivals rose to approximately 516,000, providing 35% of total foreign receipts for the country.
In her welcoming speech, Ms. Rosette Rugamba said that although tourism is a constantly changing industry, the goal is the same throughout Africa: to reduce poverty and create jobs. “It is an honor for you to come to Rwanda on this mission. African cooperation and partnerships for the advancement of the continent’s economy and poverty reduction is the goal of all African countries.”
African governments are now realizing the importance of tourism for job creation and are committed to developing policies to increase human capacity building. Rwanda is willing to share information on licensing, classification, levy systems, how to collect levies, how to enforce policies, and how to find those who are not paying their fair share. For tourism in East Africa to grow as desired.