Rubavu District recently launched its first Car-Free Zone, a development expected to boost the town’s business and tourism activities.  

The town’s Mayor, Ildephonse Kambogo, said their vision is to make Rubavu a business and tourism gateway, availing enormous development opportunities for citizens and tourists to feel and enjoy the beauty of the town.

Rubavu District recently launched its first Car-Free Zone, a development expected to boost the town’s business and tourism activities.Courtesy

"Rubavu town has a vision of becoming a business and tourism hub. Tourism is all about experience, we want to give that and let our population make money from it,” he said.

The town’s Car-Free Zone comes as an addition to the already cheerful city that is enhanced with beaches, hot springs, among other tourist attractions.

"Most people have been coming here to enjoy beaches and hotels; we really want to give them another experience. In regards to a lot of people coming from Kigali to Rubavu for their weekends, we want to give opportunities for business and also let people feel the beauty of the town,” Kambogo added.

As of today, Rubavu is being expanded and renovated, a development which is in line with the country’s vision to accelerate urbanisation.

Residents weigh in

"Rubavu is the best venue for events in Rwanda. So, this Car Free Zone, just like that one in Kigali, is going to be a tourism area and for me, I really appreciate the decision taken. Every weekend, we are going to create many things that will make people busy from Friday to Sunday," said Germain Ganza, a student in Travel and Tourism Management.

Emmanuel Niyonsaba, 35, is one of the Rubavu residents who have highly appreciated the newly established CarFree Zone.

Niyonsaba expects the town to be ‘hot’ as a lot of Kigalians will come at large.

Working in the tourism industry as a Travel and Tour Guide expert, Niyonsaba believes the sector will get more income as long as the district keeps establishing such tourism sites which attract a lot of people.

"It is good that officials have thought about young people, we have been missing this lot. Rubavu is one of the secondary cities which also needs such good places for entertainment,” said Ange Uwase, a resident in the Gisenyi sector.