2013: When tourism generated huge returns

President Paul kagame’s State of the Nation and End of Year Address gave plaudits to the tourism sector, while questioning service delivery across the board.That tourism has been buoyant and racked home the biggest chunk of revenue to the national coffers is not a mean feat for a country that emerged from a horrific genocide only 19 years ago.The fact that tourism has been the most successful sector for several years running is a symbolic pointer that the setting Rwanda is blessed with is being put to good use for the world’s adventurous and nature-minded persons to behold.Rwanda continues to put tourism at the top because the country is endowed with various breathtaking attractions such as rare mountain gorillas and beautiful canopy walk that gives tourists a spectacular experience.It is a country known for its sumptuous treatment to all visitors. Its visitor-friendly traditions, varied life styles, cultural heritage and colourful festivals held annually.In 2013, tourism fetched $217.7 million from January to September, compared to $210.5 million generated in 2012 during the same period.Rwanda is home to some of the world’s 790 remaining Mountain Gorillas. The rare species are found in the Virunga massif, which stradles Uganda, DR Congo and Rwanda.The steady growth in tourism in the past few years is attributed to the country’s security and stability that attracts visitors keen to see and enjoy the country’s wonders of nature.The seeds of tourism Over the year 2013, 17 gorillas were born in the country, compared to the 14 in 2012.Speaking to The New Times, recently, Abel Musana, the research and monitoring warden at Volcanoes National Park, said the number of gorillas continues to increase due to sustainable tourism and favourable conservation measures.“We have put in place measures that reduce pressures on forest wildlife because the loss of the gorillas’ habitat is recognised as a threat,” Musana said.From January to September 2013, the country hosted 824,238 visitors, representing an increase of 7 per cent compared to the same period in 2012, where 768,221 people visited.“We have seen tourism industry grow at a considerable rate for the past few years and we are expecting the sector to grow even faster in the years ahead. We are putting in place various mechanisms that will see the industry flourish,” says Rica Rwigamba, the head of tourism and conservation at Rwanda Development Board.Kwita IzinaThis year’s baby gorilla naming ceremony, commonly known as Kwita Izina held for the 9th time, attracted thousands, including international celebrities and conservationists.Last month, Kwita Izina was short-listed among the finalists for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Ulysses Award for innovation in public policy and governance.The winners will be unveiled during the UNWTO awards ceremony on January 22.Since the inception of the ceremony, which rates highly on the country’s tourism calendar, the gorilla population has grown by 26 per cent.Gorilla tracking is one of the major tourist attractions in the country; with permits costing $750 for foreign tourists.Twelve baby gorillas were named under the theme, ‘Celebrating Nature, Empowering Communities.’Kwita Izina started in 2005 and the annual event has seen 173 baby gorillas named in a function that normally takes place at the foot of the chilly Virunga Mountains in Kinigi, Musanze District in Northern Province.The function is drawn from the ancestral baby naming ceremony that happened after the birth of a newborn in every family.The ceremony’s main goal is to help monitor each individual gorilla and their groups in their natural habitat.It was created as a means of bringing attention both locally and internationally about the importance of protecting Mountain Gorillas and their habitats in the Virunga Mountains in the north of the country.This year’s naming ceremony was attended by the likes of Nigerian actor Ramsey Tokunbo Nouah, American actor Isaiah Washington, and veteran of several films Spike Lee, Rifai Taleb, the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), among others.Gorillas contribute about 90 percent of the revenues from national parks.The tourism sector has been identified with vast potential for generating employment and earning large amount of foreign exchange.Apart from National Parks, Rwanda boasts other attractions that include beautiful Gisenyi beaches, Nyungwe Canopy Walk, the Congo Nile trail, forests and wildlife and landscapes for eco-tourism; snow, river and mountain peaks for adventure tourism, historical and cultural museums, among others.The latest addition to the tourism catalogue this year is the Musanze cave, a 1.5 mile-long cave that is home to a vast bat colony.Last year, the sector generated $281.8m (about Rwf178 billion) compared to $251.3m (about Rwf159 billion) the previous year, an increase of 17 per cent, according to 2012 figure from Rwanda Development Board.Preferred destinationThe 2013 travel guide released a list of 10 countries in the world that are of classic travel for great sights and convenient travel, adventurous places for those who are going above and beyond, seeking out the best travel and hardcore places for those who are willing to travel anywhere just for the buzz.Rwanda was ranked sixth in the global list topped by Portugal, with Mozambique, Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Armenia, Cuba, Ukraine, Malawi and Canada in that order.“Rwanda is incredibly known for well-paved roads, clean and safe streets, and friendly people willing to give anybody directions. It’s the best country in Africa that soothes people’s stress,” said Peter Anderson, an American tourist.