RWANDA SHINES AT 2010 WORLD TRAVEL MARKET

RWANDA SHINES AT 2010 WORLD TRAVEL MARKET

For the past ten years Rwanda has been participating in the World Travel Market in the United Kingdom, promoting the country as a diverse and exciting destination for those who love to travel and forging partnerships that result in an increased number of tourists to the country. This year was no exception.

From November 8th-12th 2010 Rwanda participated in the annual World Travel Market (WTM) in the United Kingdom. The global event took place in London Docklands at the ExCeL exhibition and conference centre. Almost 46,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international press, embark on ExCeL in London every November to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry opinion and trends at WTM. This year the Rwanda Development Board was represented by the Head of Tourism and Conservation, Mrs. Rica Rwigamba and the Marketing Division Manager Ms. Joan Mazimhaka. The private sector was represented by 14 delegates of the Rwandan travel industry—tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers and the national carrier Rwandair. Included in the delegation were:

Manzi Kayihura and Elise Milenge of Thousand Hills Expeditions; Rosette Rugamba and Bonita Mutoni of Songa Africa; Joseph Birori of Primate Safaris; Jeannette Gisa of International Tours and Travel; Isabelle Kayirangwa of Zebra Country Tours; Anny Batamuliza of New Dawn Associates; Jean Luc Miravumba of Nyungwe Forest Lodge/Mantis; Michael Otieno of Rwandair; Aline Bentley and Praveen Moman of Volcanoes Safaris; Eric Degraf of Magic Safaris; and Evert Jakobs of Access Rwanda Safaris.

Of Rwanda’s participation at the event Mrs. Rwigamba stated, “This year we were determined to showcase Rwanda as a diverse destination for adventure, culture, unrivaled beauty and our main focus was the promotion of Nyungwe National Park as a destination.” In September RDB launched the Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park with the Honorable Minister Monique Nsanzabaganwa as the guest of honor. At this occasion the Nyungwe Interpretation Centre was also inaugurated. With the new Nyungwe Forest Eco-Lodge attracting visitors to its luxurious location at the Gisakura tea estates, Nyungwe is fast becoming Rwanda’s premier destination of choice.

Visitors to the Rwanda stand were treated to Rwandan coffee and many stopped to take photos in front of the uniquely designed stand, a stand out in the entire World Travel Market. Rwanda was also a major feature of the East African Community some of whose members—Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya—held a cocktail function during the event in celebration of East Africa as a single tourism destination. The Tourism Minister for Tanzania was the guest of honor and the Honorable Minister from Uganda was present as well. The Rwandan High Commissioner in the UK, Ernest Rwamucyo received an award from the East African Community on behalf of Rwanda. Heads of the respective tourism boards were also in attendance and in the midst of the celebration the East African Community focused attention on the single tourist visa

which allows all visitors to cross East African borders freely without having to acquire visas for each country.

Overall the World Travel Market was a success for the Rwandan tourism industry who kept the stand very active holding meetings to generate new contracts and re-establish contacts with existing partners. It also showcased a new side of Rwanda tourism to the general public, going beyond the mountain gorillas to show a truly diverse tourism product.


2010-11-22 10:02:07