A Blueprint for Tourism Development in Africa
A smooth gorilla adventure
I had two objectives when I visited Rwanda for the third time in September 2018. One was to meet the Rwanda Development Board to identify upcoming projects which could interest my client base. The other was to tick off a major outstanding item on my bucket list: to get as close as possible to the country’s famed mountain gorillas.
A few colleagues and I employed a South African “adventure travel” agency to make our group visit arrangements. A friendly representative of the agency’s Rwandan partner firm met us at our four-star Kigali hotel to welcome us and to go through our itinerary. The next day, we were whisked off for a lunch in a restaurant overlooking the hills that stretch out from the capital city. Then we were driven the 110 kilometres to the Volcanoes National Park, and lodged in a cottage before our walk to the gorillas the next day.
The following morning, we were driven to a tourism centre where about a hundred fellow tourists were gathered. The officials split us into our groups and we were given a half-hour briefing on our climb up the mountain and the do’s and don’ts when approaching these magnificent animals. We then drove to the base of a mountain, a supporting guide was assigned to each participant, and we took a short walk through a plantation to the edge of the jungle. It was hot, and the climb through thick foliage (including stinging nettles that penetrated our gloves) was tough. Our walking sticks and the odd push-in-the-backside from the guides greatly facilitated our ascent to where a family of gorillas were languishing and munching the vegetation in a shallow gully. Huge male silverbacks, females, adolescents and babies alike all seemed content, and took little notice of us. We had been instructed to keep our distance, but there was much amusement when two adolescents ambled along our path. One smacked a young lady member of our group lightly with the back of its paw as it passed, as if to say, “Get the hell out of my way!”
The entire gorilla adventure proceeded seamlessly without a hitch. I had experienced the efficiency of Rwanda’s tourism sector.
Rwanda’s tourism plan…
Rwanda’s tourism industry is the country’s largest source of foreign exchange earnings (nearly US$450 million in 2022) and represents some 10% of GDP. The government is well aware of its importance and is keen to expand the sector. The Tourism Development Master Plan falls under the National Development Agenda.
A number of key projects are enhancing Rwanda’s tourism expansion.
A new international airport…
A small negative that I took from my 2018 visit was Kigali airport. I arrived early for my departure so that I could buy souvenirs. However, there were only a few retail outlets with limited stock. My purchasing time was cut short by an announcement that passengers had to proceed immediately to the departures lounge. This facility comprised narrowly spaced rows of hard plastic chairs and small, inadequate restrooms.
The new Bugesera International Airport is currently under construction at a site 40 kilometres south of Kigali. It will have two long runways, a modern terminal, offices and other facilities. It will handle some eight million passengers, and 150 000 tons of cargo per annum. Completion is now scheduled for 2027. The estimated cost is US$2 billion. Qatar Airways has a 60% share in the airport venture.
Qatar Airways is also finalising its acquisition of a 49% stake in the national airline, Rwandair. The aviation expertise from Qatar will enhance Rwandair’s ambition to double its number of aircraft and establish Rwanda as an aviation and tourism hub. New destinations will include links to other regional tourist hotspots such as Zanzibar.
Expansion of Akagera National Park…
Another major project stimulating tourist inflows is the development of Akagera National Park situated along the border with Tanzania. The park was established by the Belgian colonial government in 1934. The wildlife population was decimated during and following the 1994 genocide. In 2009, the Rwanda Development Board and the conservation NGO, African Parks Network concluded an agreement for the management and enhancement of Akagera. A number of previously existing species were reintroduced mainly from South Africa, and the park now boasts the ‘big five’. The lion population had grown rapidly from seven trans-located individuals to 58 by early 2023. The return of rare eastern black rhino was another milestone. The number of tourists visiting the park has increased steadily to over 50 000, and a substantial rise in revenue is being recorded.
Development of Lake Kivu…
My tour companions decided to return to the mountains for an arduous climb, while I decided to hire another driver and vehicle to take me for my first visit to Gisenyi. This town lies opposite the Congolese city of Goma on Lake Kivu. After I had succeeded in visiting a methane gas power plant on the lake, I decided to inspect the lakeside tourism potential.
The four-star Lake Kivu Serena Hotel had good amenities but its rates were definitely only for the well-heeled visitor. My driver then took me to an older establishment, the Inzonzi Beach Hotel. The rooms were modest. The pool needed some cleaning. The hotel’s jet skis at the lakeside looked well-used. Nevertheless, I made a mental note to give this establishment a try in the future. The town was clean but clearly in need of improved road infrastructure and a few coats of paint..
Lake Kivu could be a major tourism area, and there have been a few murmurs of new projects. There has been talk of a Sun City-type tourism complex on one of the lake islands. Another development has been considered for the islands off Kibuye. The hot springs situated seven kilometres from Gisenyi could be further developed.
Restoration of Volcanoes National Park…
The highlight for most visitors to Rwanda is seeing the mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park situated on the border with the DR Congo. The restoration project for the park includes the addition of 37,4 kilometres of gorilla habitat. This will increase the park’s size by 23%. A new buffer zone of nearly 7 000 hectares is envisaged. Thousands of Rwandans (including former poachers) will gain employment.
A blueprint for business and leisure tourism in Africa…
Despite its advances in tourism, Rwanda can still improve its tourism offering. Services and management are areas which require some attention. Kigali is seen as a business hub with an increasing number of companies opening offices there. The city has been the chosen venue for many major business conferences and exhibitions. The country is consequently following a policy that emphasises the opportunities relating to MICE (meetings incentives, conferences and exhibitions.) MICE tourism requires specialised services. There are a fair number of hotel management and tourism schools in Rwanda which are addressing these service needs.
Few African countries have sufficiently prioritised tourism as a generator of revenue and employment. Closer collaboration between African tourism agencies is required. Perhaps a study of Rwanda’s successes and consideration as a blueprint is warranted.