Michel Nkurunziza
Efforts invested in recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic and doubling the fleet for RwandAir almost tripled tourists coming to Rwanda within two years.
Speaking during the National Dialogue-Umushyikirano, on
January 23, 2024, Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente said the number of tourists
to Rwanda increased from 521,000 in 2021 to 1.4 million in 2023.
"RwandAir resumed flights after Covid-19 pandemic and
opened new routes to different destinations including Paris, London, Doha, and
others. RwandAir also launched services to transport cargo. This played a big
role in increasing visitors coming to Rwanda, after Covid-19 pandemic, from
521,000 in 2021 to 1.4 million tourists as of September last year [2023]. This
was a drastic increase within 18 months," he said.
"Government will continue to invest in RwandAir to
improve its operations and increase its capacity," Ngirente said.
The national carrier expects to double its fleet to 25
planes over the next five years to better connect underserved markets in Africa
and boost the continent's reach to global destinations, including the Middle
East.
Ngirente said that with the aim to boost the Meetings,
Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, Rwanda hosted big
international events such as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
(CHOGM) 2022, FIFA Congress, Women Deliver Conference, and others.
"In partnership with the private sector, the government
will continue to increase infrastructure to boost tourism and facilitate
hosting of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) events in
the efficient way you [President Kagame] have requested of us," he added.
As revealed by Frank Murangwa, Director of Destination
Marketing at Rwanda Convention Bureau, in 2023, Rwanda generated a record $91
million from 157 summits and events that attracted over 67,000 delegates.
The impressive feat not only underscores the sector's
post-pandemic recovery but also positions it as a pivotal force propelling
Rwanda towards sustained economic development.
The sector contributed $64 million to the economy in 2022,
making last year's performance a significant leap forward.
Rwanda generated $247 million from tourism in the first half
of 2023, a 56 per cent increase compared to $158 million in the same period in
2022.
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