TEMBERA U RWANDA – DOMESTIC TOURISM SLOWLY TAKING ROOT
(Posted 05th November 2016)
A team of over 70 local tourists depart yesterday from the Rwanda Development Board offices to visit Nyungwe National Park from 04th – 05th of November. This is one of the protected rainforests on the continent and is habitat to 13 different primate species, over 300 bird species, 1,068 plant species and 38 reptile species, some of which are endemic. The park is also famous for being one of the sources of Africa’s greatest rivers, feeding the Nile River to the east and the Congo River to the West with the continental water divide running through the national park.
The two day trip to Nyungwe National Park is the second demonstrative trip since the launch of the domestic tourism campaign in Huye District and the campaign continues to interest local tourists to visit attraction sites in the country as well as within their own locality.
Belise Kariza, the Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board said before the group left, ‘We are delighted to see the interest from Rwandans and this particular group reflected in the registrations. We continue to encourage Rwandans to visit the wonderful attractions around the country, there is indeed a lot to love, see and do‘.
In Nyungwe National Park, the local tourists will visit the different attractions including the Canopy Walkway, the waterfall, go on a birding excursion and a participate in a tea tour.
Beyond the Canopy walkway, birdwatching enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the beauty of many colorful birds in Nyungwe forest, having the opportunity to see and hear birds they have never seen before. The local tourists will also visit the tea plantation for a crop to cup experience and see how some of Rwanda’s globally exported finest tea is cultivated during the green tea farm visits.
Belise Kariza added by saying, ‘We hope that the general public in Rwanda will continue to embrace “Tembera u Rwanda” and the interest in exploring the country will continue to grow. The campaign period should not mark the culmination of these domestic trips as we would like to realize partnership opportunities between public and private sector companies through continuous collaboration locally and regionally. These efforts will ensure that this initiative is not only beneficial to Rwanda but the entire region‘.
The three month Domestic Tourism campaign will continue with subsequent trips in December.
Next up though for Rwanda’s tourism marketers is the Africa Travel Association Annual Congress which is due to take place between the 14th and 17th of November at the new Convention Centre which is adjoining the Radissson Blu Kigali Hotel.
