Attracting tourists takes more than lowering visa fees

Editor, RE: “Introduce online group visas to enhance tourism industry” (The New Times, August 4). I would not necessarily look at the visa fees as important, but rather the system through which one acquires it, this as well goes with the attitude one finds at the entry points of a particular country. For those planning to come to Rwanda—even if we lower the rates and they still find difficulties in applying for visas, plus being received with a negative attitude- they won’t come. I know of countries where people pay high visa fees and are still willing to go there in big numbers. For tourists, there are a million reasons why the change in visa fees won’t affect their coming. Our online visa application system makes it easier and faster. The immigration office and its hardworking team are doing all possible, serving with a smile, and as one steps into the country, they experience a fresh feeling of peace and security everywhere. The cleanliness of Rwanda is another aspect that can’t be ignored. Such details have mattered and the professionalism by the immigration officers has been echoed not once or twice by the majority of visitors who have been here. The rest will be left to what happens internally. Rwandans will be required to make the stay of our visitors memorable that even after leaving they will always remember and yearn to return. Khassim Bizimungu

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Attracting tourists takes more than lowering visa fees