The current tourism figures show that Rwanda generated $247 million in the first half of 2023, a 56 per cent increase compared to $158 million in the same period in 2022, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced in a statement published on August 10.

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The tourism industry continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country, generating millions of dollars in revenue each year.

The 2022 annual report by RDB states that tourism revenues rose by 171.3 per cent from $164 million in 2021 to $445 million (about Rwf496 billion) recorded in 2022.

The growth represents a remarkable 89.3 per cent recovery compared to the pre-Covid-19 pandemic period, indicated the report. The growth in tourism revenue was also above the earlier projected revenue ($350 million) for 2022.

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As noted, the country’s tourism sector faced a very challenging year (2020) as global tourism and travel fell sharply in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.

According to the report, in 2022, Rwanda welcomed a total of more than 1.1 million international visitors. Of these, the report showed, more than 60 per cent came from African countries, highlighting the country’s growing popularity as a destination within the continent.

Furthermore, 47.5 per cent of the visitors came for business purposes, reflecting Rwanda’s positioning as a hub for business activities, it added.