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WTTC 2023 : President Suluhu, Burundian VP Bazombanza in Kigali

By IGIHE
On 2 November 2023 at 08:43

President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and Vice President of Burundi, Prosper Bazombanza, have arrived in Rwanda to participate in the 23rd World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit, which commenced on November 1.

They will be joined by the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé who will deliver key note address.

This three-day summit is expected to host over 2,000 participants, including industry leaders, to acknowledge the recent growth of the travel and tourism sector across Africa and analyze its associated challenges.

Notably, this marks the first time that the WTTC is hosting its conference in Africa, a decision attributed to the continent’s growing potential. Africa, being the world’s second-largest and second most populous continent, has much to offer in terms of travel and tourism, with its youthful population, as reported by the UN, making up 70% of sub-Saharan Africans under the age of 30. The continent holds immense promise for the industry.

Co-organized by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the WTTC Global Summit is a significant annual event on the travel and tourism calendar, bringing together industry leaders, experts, and government representatives to align efforts and support the sector’s growth while striving for a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future. The theme of this year’s summit, ’Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future,’ will encompass discussions on resilience, sustainable growth, the influence of AI, emerging markets, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Rwanda, the host country, views the summit as an opportunity to showcase the role of sustainable tourism in its transformation and highlight the power of sustainable tourism in conserving biodiversity and fostering thriving communities. Rwanda aims to double its tourism revenue from approximately $445 million in 2022 to over $800 million under its seven-year National Transformation Strategy, and the WTTC Global Summit 2023 is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving this goal.

In related developments, the WTTC predicts that by 2033, the travel and tourism sector will contribute over $2.1 billion to Rwanda’s economy and create nearly 568,000 jobs. This projection underscores Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable tourism, diversifying the visitor experience, and promoting its rich biodiversity, culture, heritage, and art.

Tanzanian President Suluhu arriving at Kigali International Airport on 1st November 2023.
Vice President of Burundi, Prosper Bazombanza, received a warm welcome from State Minister James Kabarebe upon his arrival at Kigali International Airport on Wednesday, November 1.

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