Rwanda Development Board (RDB) projects to earn US$154,667 from the newly launched Congo Nile Trail in its first year, from more than 200 tourists expected to walk the trail.

The new tourist product spans 227km along the western corridor, stretching through five districts, from Rubavu to Rusizi.

"Most of the food needed by the tourists will be supplied by farmers around the trail,” Clare Akamanzi, Chief Operations Officer at RDB told The New Times.

It is also estimated that 100 households will earn an additional income of US$15,000 through employment in hotels and other enterprises, which will help them improve living conditions.

The first phase budget for the project was US$200,000 which was only related to product development, while other expenses like technical assistance and community sensitization and training were funded by the government and the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), through its operational budget.

Akamanzi added that RDB would continue to fund the sustainability of the project, particularly its maintenance, upgrading and marketing.

"Many projects are in the pipeline such as cave tourism, conference tourism, where we are working on the establishment of the convention bureau, and a cultural village,” Akamanzi said.

alex,ngarambe@newtimes.co.rw