Banana Guest House a multi-million guest house was on Tuesday, officially opened in Kiyovu, Rue du Parc 4, in an upper scale residential area.

The opening of this new hospitality facility will boost the country’s ambitious plan to double tourism receipts by at least the end of the year.

Already there has been a 128 percent increase in room capacity around the country since 2004 to date. Markedly according to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) there are now 163 hotels in the country, with 3,552 rooms in 2008 compared to 95 hotels with 1571 rooms in 2004.

By end of 2008, tourism had generated approximately 413,000 direct jobs.

The facility which is only 5 minutes drive from the city center and 6km from Kigali’s International Airport, will offer facilities for comfort and relaxation, that the discerning travelers visiting Rwanda business or leisure might desire.

In an interview with the proprietor, Françoise Kantengwa, beside bedding, the complex is bound to offer other services like a bar and a restaurant.

"We have hired professional and experienced staff, who also include chefs, because we want to deliver good services,” says Kantengwa.

"My idea was to start something unique to make our guests feel at home away from home, thus thinking of a Guest House. Banana Guest House is modern. It is designed to suit all tastes,” he added.

Talking to Business Times, the Manager of the facility Jamie Majoro revealed that guests whose hotel life is a bore, routine, with loss of privacy or serenity vital to their lifestyle could try out Banana Guest House.

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