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Rwanda – The East African Community Cultural Destination

A Gorilla is both a blessing and a handicap. It is a blessing because Rwanda has been able to create a dynamic tourism industry around these primates.

Not only has it been responsible for generating around 90 percent of the US $ 175 million in 2009 annual tourism revenues, but it has done so in a sustainable way with Rwanda being known for its world class conservation efforts with regards to the 380 mountain gorillas in the Virunga volcano range.

Developing a vibrant tourism activity around gorillas has been a brilliant strategy and none can question its positive impact. However, it is a handicap, as Rwanda tourism industry is perhaps over-reliant on gorillas and re-examining this dependence on a single attraction is vital.

For Rwanda to overcome the single attraction challenge and to sustain its tourism growth momentum, more efforts are required to diversify product offerings. This is crucial in order to leverage other avenues where the country is well positioned to compete and to significantly augment its tourism receipts. One of these avenues is cultural tourism.

Cultural tourism is a critical component to Rwanda’s tourism product diversification agenda, and has projected annual revenues of $31M by 2015.

The foundations to support cultural tourism are being developed. Rwanda has a rich cultural heritage and investments are being made to ensure the necessary infrastructure and the development of clusters, especially in strengthening the creative industries which include handicrafts, dance and music.

Mayor Winifred Mpembyemungu of Musanze district, one of the most dynamic areas in terms of tourism development, declared “The number of hotels increased from six in 2005 to 15 in 2009, and we have eight registered cooperatives with over 400 members involved in making arts and crafts.” This illustrates the successful development of a cultural tourism foundation.

Rwanda understands the potential of cultural tourism and it is the rationale behind organizing a biennial event, launched in 1998, dubbed the “Pan African Dance Festival (FESPAD).” It was mandated by the 67th Council of ministers of the former Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU).

Under the auspice of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the seventh edition of FESPAD welcomed participants from ten countries in Africa, Europe and Asia. During the seven-day festival, there was a wide range of activities including art exhibitions, concerts, dance workshops, conferences and a national dance competition.

The newly introduced dance competition was inspired by Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage.

More than ninety dancers from nineteen districts registered and proudly represented their hills and demonstrated their skills, passion and enthusiasm to an entertained public. Dancers performed both traditional and contemporary dances. The traditional dance forms included Igishakamba, Ikinimba, Gusama, Umushagiriro, Imishayayo, Ikinyemera, Urusengo, Icumu, Intwatwa, and other dances that testify that traditions are still very much a part of today’s Rwandan culture.

The very talented young Rwandans surprised many with hip hop, free style and Ndombolo, demonstrating that Rwanda has traditions but is also part of global movements.

I was reminded of Milton Berle’s quote:”If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” Each dance competitor built an eye-catching and solid door which I hope will soon be noticed and knocked on by the right visitors. Dance is a perfect means for Rwanda to showcase her culture and can be packaged as a product of cultural tourism as through its different forms, we see the Rwanda of yesterday, the continuation of tradition and how Rwanda has integrated its unique character in order to function in the global village.

The dance competition helped visiting participants discover the rich Rwandan culture, through several experiences that were offered by means of a single one-stop shop. The shop was a tent that was transformed into a cultural village, with a view to demonstrating the abundant opportunities that arise when public and private sector partnerships (PPP) are deployed to their full capacity.

Lao-tzu once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Rwanda fully understands this, as it is developing PPP (Private Public Partnership) mechanisms and has commenced its journey by taking strides in nurturing meaningful partnerships between the public and private sector.

This is demonstrated with the recent dance competition and gives hope that such partnerships will increase in new avenues. Each group helped to build the foundation for this event; the RDB organized the venue while the private sector organized concessions.

This partnership provided a full cultural experience to visitors. They were invited to a fully furnished traditional house, with a professional guide from the Rwanda tour and travel association (RTTA). This was free of charge, but supported the purchase of Rwandan handicrafts from more than 35 local handicraft associations. This platform also enabled the handicraft association and tour operators to showcase and sell their products and services, while the enchanting dancers performed on stage.

In the long run, the impact would be twofold. First, there could be an increase in the number of private sector entrepreneurs that would earn a living from leveraging Rwandan culture. The second is that there would be an increase in the number of tourists attracted by dance, but also drawn by the marketing initiatives of cultural tourism entrepreneurs, and by a curiosity to experience Rwanda’s unique history and culture.

FESPAD is the ideal teaser to remind all tourism stakeholders about our cultural heritage and its hidden potential, which can boost Rwanda’s hopes of becoming the East African Cultural destination.

It is, therefore, not surprising that after three nights and four days in Rwanda during FESPAD, Lauryn Hill, the first woman or hip-hop artist to win five Grammy Awards declared to the press, “The culture is rich, the people are beautiful and I would like to come back.”

How Gorilla Tourism is Saving Rwandans from Poverty

The Volcanoes national park located in northwestern Rwanda is a unique wildlife safari destination with over 300 mountain gorillas and the best place where tourists can mountain in their forested habitats. They are covered with black fur and are the biggest apes species with a fully-grown silverback (male mountain gorilla) weighing over 200 pounds.

Mountain gorillas are vegetarians that predominantly feed on plant leaves, shoots, and wild fruits. They have over 98% DNA similar to humans and therefore they have human-like behavior especially the way the female mountain gorillas look after their young ones. Much as the mountain gorillas have a DNA similar to humans, they are very sensitive animals and can be aggressive if provoked. When angry, they usually standstill as they beat their chest while groaning. This clearly shows the danger and it’s always wise to move a reasonable distance away from them.

Mountain gorillas are endangered primates that were in the 1990s on the verge of extinction but were saved after several conservation programs like securing their natural habitats from human encroachment where the Batwa who were initially forest dwellers were resettled from the forest, by introducing carrying capacity where only 8 tourists are allowed to track one mountain gorilla family which they only spend with an hour, by introducing the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony as a way of closely monitoring the newly born mountain gorillas and by massively sensitizing the local people on the importance of the mountain gorillas and encouraging them to abandon anti-conservation habits like poaching.

Because of all the above and other conservation efforts, mountain gorilla tourism has greatly grown over the years in Rwanda and has also proved to be another way of protecting these endangered species in the following ways;

The revenue generated from gorilla tours in Rwanda is used to fund conservation programs against poaching wildlife. The locals have also changed their attitudes towards protecting wildlife and this has greatly led to the increase in the mountain gorilla population.

The money collected from mountain gorilla safaris is used to pay the guides and rangers some of whom were poachers who just abandoned that anti-conservation act to start a new life as conservation agents. These rangers and guides having a secured source of money discourage them from again going back to poaching which is riskier.

Part of the money collected from the mountain gorilla permits is used for local community development. The popular Rwanda gorilla safaris are very good for both the mountain gorillas and the people and therefore tourists who go to Rwanda to encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitats get rewarded with once-in-a-lifetime encounters, contribute to mountain gorilla conservation and also contribute to local community development.

Treks to the forested mountains to track Mountain gorillas start very early in the morning after the tourists have been briefed and allocated to the gorilla families they will be tracking. The takes about 2 to 8 hours depending on the tourists’ luck and the movement of the mountain gorillas since they are mobile animals that usually move from one place to another looking for fresh leaves to feed on. After encountering the mountain gorillas, a time duration of one hour is allocated to the tourists taking photographs and learning more about the mountain gorillas.

Tourists interested in being part of mountain gorilla safaris should ensure to acquire their mountain gorilla tracking permits early enough. Each gorilla permit is sold at $750 and can be directly purchased from the Rwanda development board or acquired through a trusted tour operator. Mountain gorilla safari experiences are best enjoyed during the dry season though tracking is done throughout the year even during the wet season.

Rwanda to be First African Host of Cycling Road World Champs

Cycling’s 2025 road world championships were awarded to Rwanda on Friday in a first hosting by an African country.

The capital city Kigali “will provide a magnificent backdrop” for the weeklong championships which were first held in 1921, International Cycling Union president David Lappartient said.

It’s the latest international sports project for Rwanda and long-time leader Paul Kagame which have faced criticism for repressive policies and human rights abuses.

Kagame hosted FIFA president Gianni Infantino this year to open a regional development office for soccer’s world body in Kigali.

Rwanda recently renewed a $13 million annual shirt sleeve sponsorship of English Premier League club Arsenal through 2025, and Kagame criticized the team on Twitter after losing the season-opening game.

The Rwandan president was in Belgium on Thursday to meet Lappartient ahead of the hosting decision being made on the sidelines of the road worlds.

The 2025 worlds in Kigali are also scheduled to be the venue for the UCI’s four-yearly elections.

Lappartient was re-elected unopposed Friday for a second term.

Chess in Rwanda: Why is it on the rise?

Chess, a two-player strategy board game played by millions of people worldwide, is taking root in Rwanda at a pace, perhaps, unseen before the past three years.

A burgeoning thrust especially in the past few years is picking up momentum with local kids, especially loving the game more.

December 2015, Rwanda moved up seven places to 155th in the latest global country rank published by the World Chess Federation (FIDE). A country is ranked according to performances, or average rating, of its top 10 active rated players.

Rwanda’s most recent advance came just weeks after the country, last month, hosted its second ever rated tournament in which five more Rwandans acquired the coveted FIDE rating.

The country now has 20 rated players. It is looking to boost these numbers after hosting its third rated tournament. Rwanda Open – a seven-round event which will begin on January, 29, with one round at Classic Hotel in Kigali.

The first two rated tournaments were held in Rwanda last year. However, they were not as big as the upcoming competition which is sponsored by Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa (KCFA), a non-profit organization founded by 13th World Chess Champion, Russian Grand Master (GM) Garry Kasparov, and has players from countries including Burundi, DR Congo and Kenya, set to vie for the honors.

“This is our third rated tournament, and we are happy to be able to organize such tournaments as they not only benefit individual players but also help the country to progress on the world ranking. We plan to continue in that direction,” Kevin Ganza, Vice President the Rwanda Chess Federation (FERWADE), said in interview.

“This year’s open is special as it will bring together players from four countries from the region DRC, Burundi, Kenya and local players (Rwanda). If all goes well, our global ranking could as well improve, slightly, if all our 20 rated players get active.”

According to Ganza, “expectations are high” ahead of the four-day affair.

Unrated players will be looking to get the coveted FIDE rating. To join the cream, debutants must snatch any draw or win in five matches against rated opponents in a rated tournament. It is always a tough feat.

Ganza also said Rwanda Open will also be a fine opportunity for Rwandans to test their capability against tougher opponents, eight months before games in the next Chess Olympiad, a biennial chess tournament in which teams from all over the world compete, start.

Come September, the 42nd Chess Olympiad will be held in Baku, the capital and commercial hub of Azerbaijan.

Rwanda is looking to field two men and women teams, of five players each, during the games organized by FIDE in the touristic low-lying city with coastline along the Caspian Sea, famed for its medieval walled old city, containing the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a vast royal complex, and the iconic stone Maiden Tower.

The road to Baku, however, is not smooth as youngsters including Sandrine Uwase, 13, and Joselyne Uwase, 12, have recently made it clear that they will be a threat to senior lady players when Olympiad pre-qualifiers start in March.

Rwanda rising

Meanwhile, Kenya’s most dominant player in 2015 and winner of Rwanda’s first-ever rated tournament, held last February, CM (Candidate Master) Ben Magana, is among those traveling to play in the upcoming competition.

Magana told this website that: “Chess in Rwanda is on the rise, thanks to the fantastic partnership between FERWADE and KCF-A. Rwanda has an exciting mix of veterans and young players and it is one of the emerging chess nations in this part of Africa, together with Tanzania.”

“The future of chess always lies with the youth and, as such, emphasis must be put in teaching Chess to the kids. Rwanda’s chess federation has introduced the important mini-chess programme in primary schools where young brains are exposed to the game,” Magana said.

“In just a matter of a few years, these boys and girls will be a force to reckon with. This is the beauty of chess: young children anywhere in the world exposed to Chess have no option but to get better, and start beating the seniors at the game! Rwanda will be a force to reckon with in a decade if these basics are taken care of.”

Last February 2015, FERWADE with the help of KCF-A rolled out its coveted Mini-Chess programme in a pilot phase now on track in five pilot primary schools – GS Ste Famille, GS Akumunigo, both in Nyarugenge District; GS Kimisange and GS Masaka I, in Kicukiro District; and EP Mayange B, in Bugesera District.

The MiniChess Programme, developed in South Africa in 2010 as part of the school curriculum, has had greater success in schools in South Africa.

It is essentially not only about teaching chess, but an educational programme – an ingenious and efficient way of teaching mathematics using chess materials.

Howard Buffett, Sean Penn to name Baby Gorillas at #KwitaIzina2017

Hollywood star Sean Penn and Howard Buffett – son of American billionaire investor Warren Buffett – are expected to descend on Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park on Friday, September 1, to name baby mountain gorillas during Kwita Izina, the country’s annual baby gorilla naming ceremony.

This year marks the 13th edition of Rwanda’s flagship tourism event, which brings together conservationists from all over the world to celebrate the country’s success in protecting the endangered species. The theme for this year’s event is, “Conservation and sustainable tourism; a foundation for future generations”.

This year will see a total of 19 baby gorillas given names in efforts that are geared towards conserving the critically endangered species.

According to the latest statistics (2010), only 880 mountain gorillas are left in the world, and about half of them reside in the lush Virunga chain of eight volcanic mountains that straddle Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mountain gorillas remain a big-money tourist attraction in the three countries.

Since the initial launch of Kwita Izina in 2005, a total of 239 baby mountain gorillas have been named.

Rwanda’s Mountain Gorilla Rally to Improve Tourism

Rwanda is one of the only three destinations in the world where the rare mountain gorillas are protected. The other two incredible destinations include Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These 3 countries offer trekkers with only 4 options to spark their imaginations with the rarest wild primates in their natural habitat and no where else except only Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Southwestern Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda and the Virunga National Park, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda Gorilla Safaris & Uganda Primate watching trips always feature on top list due to safety and prevailing peace in both countries. Tracking these great apes in the Democratic Republic of Congo equally rewards visitors with the most remarkable experiences of life time.

There are fewer than 1060 mountain gorillas that still thrive in the entire world and Rwanda is proud to be a home to over 360 mountain gorillas, taking the largest population of all the gorillas that live within the Virunga Mountains. Rwanda’s tourism has drastically increased due to aggressive marketing strategies from the government as well as partnerships with other stakeholders in terms of mountain gorilla conservation.

Despite several marketing strategies used by the Rwanda government, the impact of Mountain Gorilla Rally competitions should not be left out. Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally was initially called the “Fraternity Rally,” an international rally racing event organized by the Rwanda Automobile Club. The rally is conducted in Kigali Rwanda and it comprises of African Rally Championship and the Rwandan National Rally Championship. The Fraternity Rally started in 1999 as a motorsport that re-established itself after the Rwandan Civil War. It started as a cross border rally that began in Kampala, Uganda prior finishing in Kigali. The rally turned to be part of the African championships the next year, after Rwanda was suspended in 1988. For the previous years, the Uganda portion of the event declined and later renamed the “Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally” in 2002. For several years, Burundi driver Rudy Cantanhede has been the most successful driver in the rallies history with 3 wins to his credit. Italian born local driver Giancarlo Davite also has 2 wins to his credit.

It is not surprising that Mountain Gorilla Rally competitions have extended to various places including East Africa; Ivory Coast, South Africa, Zambia and currently in Rwanda. The good news is that, the 2017 Africa Rally Championship (ARC) is expected to take place in Kigali-Bugesera as Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally come September 8^th (Friday) and 10^th (Sunday). The Rwanda leg will mark 6^th round on the 7 race continental motorsport calendar. It is expected to lure the top local, regional and continental drivers.

Benefits of the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally 2017

For the local drivers, this will be time for points in pursuit of the national championship. The Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally is advancing to a higher level thereby hosting the most acknowledged drivers in the race that in turn aides in spreading awareness to many people about the event and thus escalating more gorilla tracking tours in Rwanda. The Rwanda tourism industry however conveys more regard to every one, government, partners and sponsors for the continued support that has yielded success in the races thus fostering mountain gorilla tours.

Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally helps in creating awareness about tourism industry nationally, regionally and internationally and given the fact that this event takes place in various regions, it therefore results into more mountain gorilla trekking tours. The gorilla rally also aides to unite various parts of the world as one thus they work together to develop the tourism and increase more tourist attractions so as to lure more visitors hence increasing revenues to the government from the tourism industry.

On the other hand, the rallies are also a source of employment opportunities to the people. Besides, it aides in skill development and in a long run, enhances their talents given the fact that all people across the world, are free to join the races. Through mountain Gorilla Rallies, domestic tourism is also promoted as several nationals are lured to participate in the race and return benefits tourism and boosts the gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda.

The competitions are also one of the ways to boost conservation and protection of mountain gorillas since the money that is generated from this race is used for funding the several gorilla programs in various parts that helps to increase the population of visitors traveling for gorilla tracking.

In conclusion, the Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally is an opportunity for Rwanda to market its tremendous wild mountain gorillas to the world travelers. At the end of it all, increases the number visitors and hence boosts the tourism sector of the country. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is conducted in Volcanoes National Park, Northwestern Rwanda. It is proud to be a home to over 360 gorillas with 10 Habituated Families for tourists to catch a glimpse of these world’s fascinating primates.

Rwanda Signs Paris Agreement on Climate Change

Rwanda has joined over 160 countries in signing the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Rwanda was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo.

The Paris Agreement represents the strong global commitment to promote environmental protection and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The agreement provides the framework for all nations to introduce and strengthen policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and respond to a warmer planet. It also includes a commitment by developed nations to support climate vulnerable countries through finance and technology at $100 billion annually until 2025.

The agreement is the result of years of negotiations that began in Durban in 2011 and concluded at the U.N. Climate Talks held in Paris in December (COP21). The talks were held under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and concluded with the Paris Agreement, which was adopted by all parties to the UNFCCC – 196 nations.

“The Paris Agreement is a key platform for a global plan of action that will reduce carbon emissions and limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, with the lofty goal of keeping temperature increases below 1.5 degrees. This stronger target is what the government called for at the Climate Talks in December 2015 because we know that anything less ambitious places Rwanda and other vulnerable nations at unacceptable risk of climate related disasters,” Natural Resources Minister Vincent Biruta remarked.

Among actions taken by the government with regards to environmental protection are; the ban on plastic bags, conservation of natural heritage through national parks and protected areas, landscape restoration and the planting millions of trees every year.

“A key part of achieving our vision is Rwanda’s Green Fund – a ground-breaking environment and climate change investment fund and the largest of its kind in Africa,”said Minister Mushikiwabo while delivering Rwanda’s national statement in New York. “The fund invests in the best public and private projects that have the potential for trans-formative change and that support Rwanda’s commitment to building a green economy. The fund has mobilized 100 million dollars to date and is a leading example of the impact that well managed climate financing can have.”

She also announced that Rwanda will ratify the Paris Agreement as soon as possible and called on all nations to execute their climate action plans so that the agreement lives up to the expectations of current and future generations. “While the Paris Agreement is a historic step in the right direction, we must not be content with today’s signing alone. The real work now begins to ratify and match our commitments with action,” she said. It has to be noted that the agreement will enter into force on the 30th day after the date on which at least 55 parties to the convention, accounting in total for at least an estimated 55% per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions, have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

Police warn against violating traffic rules

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) traffic and road safety department has reminded drivers to refrain from bad maneuvers which continue to be the source of road carnage.

Supt. Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi, the spokesperson of the traffic department said that some of the public transport vehicles also have mechanical faults and operating on expired mechanical inspection certificates

His reaction followed at least six road accidents that occurred on February that claimed 15 lives and leaving scores injured.

“Most of these accidents are due to speeding and overtaking in hotspots especially public transport vehicles that commute to the countryside scrambling for passengers along the way thus violating traffic rules and regulations and putting the lives of people in danger,” said Supt. Ndushabandi.

“There are many sharp corners along highways and there’s a high risk of involving in an accident if you enter and try to negotiate them while on high speed. There’s also a risk of colliding with another vehicle from the opposite direction or going off the road, after failure to control the vehicle. Drivers should therefore behave and drive responsibly while respecting roadside safety signposts to prevent likely accidents.”

RNP also reminded owners of public transport vehicles to speed up the installation of speed governors before the February 26official deadline.

Article 2 of the Presidential Order that sets February 26, this year as the deadline stipulates that “any public or goods’ transport vehicle must be equipped with speed governors to control maximum road speed.”

Rwanda eyes AviaDev conference in Kigali to boost aviation, hotels

Rwanda is looking at the forth coming AviaDev, an international conference to be held in Kigali as an opportunity to further boost its Aviation and hospitality sectors.

The country has attained high rankings by World Bank doing business report 2016 as one of the easiest place of doing business on the continent, which the government says would wish to boost and attract more investments into the country.

“We want to showcase Rwanda as a key destination to do business,” said Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board –RDB on Thursday.

She says, “A forum focused on aviation developments, AviaDev, provides an important platform for the aviation and hotel sectors to discuss future development projects and forge new relationships.”

The government in a bid to strengthen the hospitality sector embarked on encouraging more investments in Hotels to close the shortage of accommodation in the country.

The AviaDev platform conference which is expected to be held in Kigali on 4 October at the Radisson Hotel and convention centre will come before the prestigious Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) scheduled for 5th and 6th October, 2016.

“AviaDev Africa will be a valuable opportunity for leading executives from aviation and hotel development to have some serious and fruitful discussions on how to develop the future connectivity of the continent.” said
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events organizers of the forum.

He adds, “Leading airlines, airport and hotel executives, alongside government representatives, will be able to explore the crucial link between aviation and hotel investment.”

The AviaDev provides a unique platform bringing together airlines, airports, hotel and hospitality investors for the first time, Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) is the premier hotel investment conference in Africa, attracting over 500 high-calibre executives from 45 countries, as well as key Government representatives.