ICCA CONFIRMS FURTHER RISE OF RWANDA INTO TOP THREE AFRICAN MEETING DESTINATIONS
(Posted 10th May 2018)
Data just released by ICCA, the International Congress and Convention Association, confirm that Rwanda is now Africa’s number three country, no longer sharing the position as it was still the case last year.
In the lead remains South Africa, followed by Morocco and not far behind now Rwanda, a sign how far the country has come over the past 10 years since the idea of a dedicated Rwanda Convention Bureau was first floated before being implemented a few years later.
Notably is the Rwandan capital of Kigali now also holding position three on the continent, beating such rivals as Durban, Johannesburg and Nairobi in the process and only giving way to Cape Town – Africa’s top MICE destination – and Casablanca.
Said Denise Benzinge-Omany, formerly of the Kigali Serena Hotel and now CEO of the Rwanda Convention Bureau: Rwanda hosted 28,308 delegates in 2017, up from 23,804 in 2016. Tourism is the country’s largest foreign exchange earner and MICE is playing an important role in its growth, bringing in 15 percent of all tourism revenue. MICE tourism contributed $42 million in 2017. We aim to increase it to $74 million this year. With the support of the Government, as well as the private sector, Rwanda has been able to establish itself as a safe, secure MICE destination of choice due to the presence of world-class MICE venues, accommodation facilities, connectivity options and ease of service due to RCB support‘.
Recent developments at RwandAir which has been adding key destinations in Africa and beyond, have supported Rwanda’s drive to become a top MICE destination on the continent.
The country got a resounding endorsement just two weeks ago when it was announced that the Commonwealth Head of Government Summit 2020, in short #CHOGM2020, will be held in the Land of a Thousand Hills.
