The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), together with key tourism stakeholders, recently concluded a two-day programme to identify new tourism sites in the Eastern Province.

The initiative is a national exercise that seeks to map out and increase the number of tourist attractions in the country.

— Rwanda Development (@RDBrwanda) February 21, 2019

The high-level team was led by RDB Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kariza, and tourism stakeholders, including the Director of the Rwanda Tour and Travel Association and Chairman of the Rwanda Safari Guide Association.

This initiative formed part of a national exercise that seeks to map out and increase the number of tourist attractions in the country.

Some of the potential sites that were visited included Fumbwe Hill in Rwamagana District, the deep pots of Rubona in Gatsibo District, the Ngarama rock of tales in Gatsibo District, and Nyabwishongwezi, where the late Gen. Fred Rwigema was killed in 1990 during the liberation war.

It was followed by a high-level meeting in Nyagatare District that brought together local leaders, tourism professionals and members of the local hospitality industry. 

While making his opening remarks, the Governor of the Eastern Province, Fred Mufulukye, urged the different stakeholders to capitalise on Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage, improved transport infrastructure and the hospitality sector in the province to attract more tourists and earn more revenue.

Kariza added: “Rwanda is eyeing more opportunities in widening its tourism offering and identifying new tourist sites is part of the plan. The sites we visited not only need to be promoted as new cultural tourist destinations but the private sector also needs to invest in the area in order to create more opportunities for the surrounding communities as well.”