As Rwanda seek to become a middle-income country by the year 2035 through sectoral strategies, eco-tourism remains a key potential economic pillar for the country’s development.
Some strategic drivers of continued investment and economic development in Rwanda through Tourism have been: improved security (Rwanda is the second safest country in sub-Saharan Africa), political stability and reduced corruption (Beed, Rwanda Development Board, C9 Hotel Works, 2021).
Moreover, Rwanda attracts tourism investors because Tourism in Rwanda is rapidly growing, the government offers attractive investors incentives, and the country has a progressive visa system.
Tourism in Rwanda has reached global potential due to the expansion of its national carrier RwandAir, the construction of a bigger and better new airport, and the interconnection of Lake Kivu and Kigali with a 7,000 km fibre network that links 95%of the network. The Tourism masterplan and the recently developed Tourism recovery plan of 2021 enchant the diversification of Tourism growth. The Rwanda Development Board and other stakeholders steer the development plans for each destination’s uniqueness, which lies in potential growth and diversification areas in Tourism.
This development includes the water-based tourism plan across the five lakes of Kivu, Muhazi, Burera, Ruhondo, and Mugesera. Maximum optimisation of tourism potential in each lake will positively impact the local communities and drive local development, given that most of these areas are in Rural Rwanda. Similarly, positive impacts on investors through innovative, profitable and sustainable business projects and the government through increased tourists and tourism investor’s revenue generation guaranteed.
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