The promotional event for the "Visit Rwanda" campaign kicked off on Monday, December 9, 2024, at the Kimpton St Honoré Hotel in Paris and continued on December 10 at the Amigo Hotel in Brussels, Belgium.
The event aimed to showcase Rwanda’s tourist attractions and investment potential in the country’s growing tourism sector.
This initiative aligns with the cooperation agreements within the Forum of French-speaking Countries, which includes Rwanda alongside nations such as Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
Through this partnership, Rwanda seeks to leverage the "Visit Rwanda" campaign, providing a platform for stakeholders in Rwanda’s tourism sector to highlight how they deliver exceptional services to visitors.
The event in Paris gathered around 50 tourism professionals, eager to explore potential collaborations with Rwanda after learning about the country’s opportunities in the sector.
Rwanda’s delegation was led by Kageruka Ariella, Head of the Tourism Department at RDB, who was joined by representatives from various Rwandan tour operators: Musoni Betty from Primate Safaris, Hategekimana Lambert from Rwanda Eco Company, Daniella Gaza from Songa Africa, and Musonera Mugisha Davidson from Wildlife Tours Rwanda.
RwandAir, represented by Higiro Déogratias, was also present, along with other key participants such as Amani Emmanuel from Blue Monkey Tours, Denis Lefebvre from Palast Tours & Travels, Nsengiyumva Barakabuye from Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, and Ndandari Philbert from Respafrica Tours.
The event was officially opened by Nkulikiyimfura François, Rwanda’s Ambassador to France, who praised the attendees and tourism agency representatives for their contributions to promoting Rwanda’s tourism sector.
Amb. Nkulikiyimfura stated, “You are all partners, and we are pleased to advocate for the tourism sector in Rwanda, which will open more doors for visitors eager to explore the beauty of Rwanda. You have the responsibility to provide information that highlights Rwanda and encourages potential visitors to come.”
He highlighted Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes, its clean cities recognized as the cleanest in Africa and its rich cultural heritage, including the gorillas, national parks, and the recent inclusion of traditional dances in UNESCO’s cultural heritage list.
“The moment you arrive in Kigali, you will find a city that is not only beautiful but also welcoming, with warm-hearted people eager to share their stories,” he added.
Ambassador Nkulikiyimfura also expressed hope that the event would inspire attendees to become enthusiastic ambassadors for Rwanda, guiding their clients and peers to experience the country’s wonders. He invited them to imagine enjoying a sunset over the volcanoes while savoring Rwandan coffee or tea.
Ariella Kageruka, Head of the Tourism Department at RDB, also addressed the attendees, presenting Rwanda’s tourist attractions with visual aids and explanations.
She reminded the audience that citizens of member countries of the OIF, African Union, and Commonwealth can obtain a visa upon arrival at Kanombe Airport at no cost.
Kageruka encouraged the guests to engage with Rwandan tourism stakeholders, creating new connections and discovering the treasures Rwanda has to offer.
The evening’s festivities included traditional Rwandan performances by the Intore, adding cultural depth and vibrancy to the event.
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