Editor, RE: “RDB markets Rwanda for ‘ wedding tourism” (The New Times, January 20). In today’s dynamic world, innovation is a key factor in developing any sector, so is the tourism sector, which is Rwanda’s largest foreign exchange earner. A recent innovation is the country’s focus on wedding tourism. Indian weddings could well prove to be a great addition to Rwanda’s tourism product offerings. It is a fact that the sheer size of the Indian outbound travel market, at the current level of 20 million Indians who travelled overseas during the year 2015, is sufficient enough to catch the eye of new and emerging markets, like Rwanda. And what better time, than when the national carrier, RwandAir is all set to commence four weekly flights to Mumbai effective September 2016. To support the launch of the airline’s expansion into India, Rwanda will also see around 800 additional hotel rooms which will become operational during the second half of this year. All these initiatives are bound to boost visitor arrival figures. Once local event management companies, tour operators and wedding planners understand this segment, Rwanda could well get a fair share of the big, fat Indian wedding. Rwanda’s participation in the forthcoming Outbound Travel Market 2016, which will be held in Mumbai from February 18-20, 2016, coupled with the exclusive roadshows planned around the same time, would definitely facilitate the process. Tour companies, hotels, event management companies, and wedding planners are encouraged to be part of RDB’s great tourism initiative, which will positively result in a win-win relationship. Clarence Fernandes
