As the festive season goes into full swing, starting from tomorrow, businesses in different districts across the country are targeting increased sales especially towards Christmas and New Year.

This period between mid-December and early January is an opportunity for many businesses to cash in never like before, as more people travel, and buy gifts for friends and families.

Travel agencies

Before the festive season, many people move from Kigali to provinces to celebrate with families, and the other way around after the festive season.

Hussein Nziza, Managing Director of Stella, a travel agency, said that the festive season, along with students’ travels to and from boarding schools, are the busiest times in the transport business in Rwanda.

The agency plies the Kigali-Gicumbi route in Northern Province, Kigali-Rwamagana, Kigali-Kayonza and Kigali-Ngoma in Eastern Province.

He said there has been a spike in the number of passengers since last week adding that they had predicted such a scenario and are prepared for the increased numbers.

"In days like these, we increase the number of buses as soon as the passengers increase, we also employ more people at different taxi parks, to make sure we handle a larger number of passengers than we are used to,” he explained.

According to the agency manager, in normal days, buses depart every 30 minutes, but in days like these, they depart every 15 minutes, and even every 10 minutes.

Ngenzi said that people celebrate the New Year more than Christmas.

Last year, the days between December 28 and 30 were the busiest of all, although December 23 and 24 also saw an increase in movement of passengers.

He further added that they are prepared to make sure people reach their destinations safely.

Shopping

Kabarondo in Kayonza District has for years been the biggest business centre of the Eastern Province, with its special market days on Mondays and Thursdays.

According to Népo Vunabandi, who runs the largest Kitenge fabrics store in the town, there has been increase of sales since December 16.

There is an increase in the sale of clothes because most people want to wear new clothes on Christmas and New Year.

Although the productivity in farms has not been so good because of the climate, Vunabandi hopes that "very soon” when people harvest, more people will have enough money to go shopping.

"In this province, our main buyers are farmers, it is clear that once they harvest, the buyers will increase here,” he explained.

The Kitenge prices vary from to Rwf3,500 to Rwf10,000 depending on the quality and size.

Last minute buyers

Other traders in the same market, however said that business is yet to boom, declaring that their hope is for the last minute buyers.

Emile Nkurunziza, who sells shoes at the Kabarondo market, said: "People seem not to be shopping a lot these days.”

"When I compare, I think last festive seasons were better than this one,” he claimed.

They are targeting for the period towards re-opening of the school calendar when parents buymaterials for schoolchildren ahead of the academic year in January.

The only hope is the last minute buyers, he said.

Evariste Kamugisha, another shoe seller, said that the main reason is that prices of some products like shoes have gone up, something that has turned buyers away.

"We sell a pair of shoes at Rwf15,000 but it is not easy for most residents to afford a pair of shoes at that cost,” he explained.

Farming

Philomena Nyirahabineza, resident of Kibungo, Ngoma District, always buys clothes and shoes during the festive season and plans to do so this week.

"There has been too much rains lately, which has massively affected harvesting of beans and I believe this is the major reason people are not going to enjoy the festive season like before,” she clarified.

Tourism

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Graig Bakunzi, the owner of Red Rocks, a community-based tourism company based in Musanze District, Northern Province, underscored that the festive season is the most lucrative in their business.

He added that the festive season mainly on Christmas day, local families like to tour and learn about new places.

"This is done through discounts we offer; for instance if one was to pay Rwf50,000 and travel to Akagera National Park, we reduce the tariff to Rwf35,000 which subsequently helps us bring more local and international tourists on board," he noted.

He added: "Christmas is a day that we actually receive a number of tourists especially the local ones as some Rwandans make savings for this particular day," he announced.

Beef on table

Some owners of abattoirs have committed to offer discounts to help Rwandans enjoy the festive season.

"We reap big from the festive season; we slaughter about 50 cattle on Christmas day while we normally slaughter only around 10 cattle a day. That is actually why we are planning a discount for meat lovers," said Daniel Mbago, the manager of Gakenke modern slaughterhouse.

Bernard Mukunzi, owner of a slaughterhouse in Cyanika Sector, Burera District echoed Mbaga's sentiments, saying, "Why can't we share the love for meat with our clients during festive season since it is the period we earn a lot of money?"

"We will ensure that the existing tariff is revised to everyone's capacity,” he added without specifying the prices.