The Director of Tourism Research and Development in the Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN), has said that cycling is one of the potential products to boost tourism revenues in the country in the near future.

Emmanuel Werabe was speaking at the launch of the 100-kilometer Bourbon Road Bike race at Bourbon Coffee shop at Nyarutarama recently.

He said that the cycling event is something which influences tourists to stay longer in the country, thereby spending more money.

Werabe added that if more participants from Africa and outside could be attracted into participation, it would translate into more tourism revenue for Rwanda.

"We feel that it is something that will generate more income to the public and the tourism sector as well,” he said.

Last year, tourism was ranked as the first foreign exchange earner, registering $137million (Frw75 billion). The sector contributed 3.7% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This year, it is expected to collect $148million (Frw81 billion) from 884,220 tourists.

However, this being a new product, Werabe said that there are yet no statistics indicating its overall contribution to the tourism industry.

Every year, in order to promote Rwanda and the bicycle, Project Rwanda and Bourbon Coffee presents the Wooden Bike classic, which is the annual multi-day bike festival designed to increase awareness of  Rwanda as a tourism and cycling destination as well as promoting the development of eco-tourism.

"Our goal is to use the bike to boost the Rwandan economy as well as re-brand Rwanda as a beautiful and safe place to do business and visit freely,” a statement from Project Rwanda reads in part.

Two highly successful events that have attracted cyclists from the USA and Europe have been completed so far.

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