Find Tourism and Travel partners in Rwanda

Overview

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimate that in 2011 the travel and tourism industry made a total contribution of 8.4% to Rwanda’s GDP. This was set to rise steadily over the coming decade (2011). The WTTC ranks Rwanda 100th out of 181 countries in terms of the relative contribution of tourism to the economy, below the world average. The sector supports 7.3% of jobs which was forecast to rise in line with industry growth, meaning that by 2022 the WTTC estimates that 149,000 people will be employed directly and indirectly in the travel and tourism sector. Visitor exports generated 29.0% of total exports in 2011 which was estimated to continue to grow up to 2022. In 2010 Rwanda received 666,000 visitors. 

Investment

The Rwanda Tourist Board promotes tourism internationally and the country’s tourism industry is Rwanda’s top foreign currency earner, generating revenues that overtook the coffee and tea industries in 2007. Rwanda’s Chamber of Tourism represents the interests of businesses in the tourism sector. The principal attractions of Rwanda which are promoted by the Tourist Board are trekking, gorilla trekking, bird watching and big game safaris. With many national parks and an abundant natural environment ecotourism is growing but there is still scope for more investment. 

In 2011 investment in the travel and tourism industry was RWF60.1bn, constituting 7.8% of total investment. This was expected to rise by 5.2% in 2012, and then continue to rise by 5.7% over the following ten years, reaching RWF110.3bn by 2022.