Rwanda saw its tourism revenues rise by 36 pc in the year 2023, while the number of visitors, at 1.24 million, is now at 124 pc of pre-pandemic peaks.

Rwanda‘s tourism revenue rose from USD 445 million in 2022 to reach USD 620 million in 2023, a growth of about 36 pc in the year, says the annual report of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) for the year 2023.

In a press statement, RDB says that the growth generated from 1.4 million visitors indicated that the sector has surpassed 2019 revenues, at a recovery rate of 124 pc from the hurdles of Covid-19 pandemic.

The statement adds that as a result of the country’s efforts to promote domestic tourism, this section increased to USD 47.7 million, contributing to increased visits to national parks which generated USD 35.79 million in 2023, the report adds.

RDB says that for instance, the Volcanoes National Park registered the highest increase of 38 pc in visitors, followed by Akagera National Park which increased by 24 pc and Nyungwe National Park by 10 pc. It adds that the Nyungwe National Park was declared a World Heritage site in 2023.

Consequently, RDB’s revenue sharing scheme with communities surrounding the national parks saw USD 1.55 million disbursed in different projects including 54 projects in agriculture sector, 43 infrastructure projects, eight projects aimed at supplying equipment for rural shops, housing, and artisans, as well as six projects for community enterprises.

Michaella Rugwizangoga, Chief Tourism Officer, RDB, says the growth comes as a yield of strategies to position Rwanda as a unique high-end, low-volume, eco-tourism destination, and conservation efforts.

She noted that the country has consistently participated in top global tourism business fairs over the past 20 years, including the ITB Berlin, We are Africa, ILTM (Singapore, Cannes, and Virtuoso) where Rwandan travel agencies engage with tourism buyers.

‘‘Rwanda’s capacity to attract top hospitality global brands such as One&Only, Singita, Radisson, and Marriott, the promotional role played by Visit Rwanda partnerships, as well as incentive opportunities for local and international investors are also key factors for such incredible growth,’’ says Rugwizangoga of RDB.

Going forward, Rugwizangoga says, Rwanda anticipates continuous growth as indicated by the performance of national parks in the first quarter of 2024, despite being a low season, the upcoming high season will also yield more.

‘‘We want to continue attracting top hospitality brands, diversify the offerings and products, and offer more leisure products targeted to families,’’ she says.

Despite the government’s move to limit nightlife, the leisure segment of tourism increased by 48 pc compared to 2022 and accounts for USD 236 million of total revenue. It increased by 19 pc to pre-pandemic level.

In terms of MICE tourism, Rwanda recorded USD 95 million in revenue in 2023, from 160 events that attracted 65,000 delegates.

Experts in the MICE industry note that through investments in infrastructure and promotional strategies, the safety and stability the country enjoys, and the visa-free regime, Rwanda continues to emerge as one of the top destinations in Africa.

The revenue generated in 2023 might be a step closer to achieving the USD 800 million revenue target by 2024, up from USD 400 million in 2017, as highlighted under the National Strategy of Transformation (NST1), the government’s seven-year (2017-2024) strategy that sets out plans for achieving its larger picture vision for economic development, says RDB.

While the target was set before the onset of the pandemic, Rugwizangoga said the sector’s recovery is impressive and demonstrates its resilience.

‘‘The sector representing 10 pc of Rwanda’s GDP can reach the target if we continue to deepen our efforts, increase the visitors’ length of stay, sell Rwanda internationally as one destination, and develop more religious tourism-related products, and culture and heritage products,’’ she says.