Officials from Rwanda and Tanzania will soon meet to start negotiations on how the two countries can work closely in promoting their tourism industries. 

The First Counselor at the Rwanda High Commission in Tanzania, Shakilla Umutoni, yesterday, said that plans are underway to devise means of having tourists visiting Tanzania consider the option of enjoying the attractions that Rwanda has to offer.

"We actually met tourism officials from Tanzania during the Karibu Fair and we agreed to have a meeting in which we shall discuss broader areas of cooperation in tourism,” Umutoni said in a phone interview. 

One of the Rwandan delegates at the fair, Jane Sebugisho, the tourism, market access officer at the Rwanda Tourism Board (RDB) said that the event offered another opportunity for Rwandan tour operators to network with their counterparts in the region. 

She added that from the experience got from Rwanda’s stand at the fair, a huge number of tourists have heard a lot about the country but had never got enough information about its tourism industry. 

"Many expressed interest in dealing in tented camps which are ideal for Nyungwe Park, but they had never got any information about that,” she said. 

Andrew Nganda, who was one of three Rwandan tourism operators, said that the fair gave them an opportunity to share experiences and make new relationships in the region. 

"We invited many to come here and see for themselves, but we also made a lot of networking,” Nganda said. 
Umutoni said that following the Karibu Fair that took place last year, a huge number of investors and tourists visited Rwanda. 

With over 250 exhibitors, the annual event provides an opportunity for tourists to select from a wide range of legendary destinations that the East African region offers.

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