All tourism entities in Rwanda are now required by law to obtain a tourism operating licence.

According to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the licence requirement comes after a ministerial order that took effect in October last year.

The new regulation affects tourism entities, including accommodation establishments, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, tour operators, travel agencies, tour guides, tourism information offices and cultural tourism businesses.

By regulating the industry, the RDB aims to improve service quality, build the capacity of the private sector as well as improve the marketing of the destination.

RDB’s Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kariza, said the move aimed to position Rwanda as an industry leader in the region.

“As we advance in quality service provision, we should focus on investing in effective administrative mechanisms which, to a great extent, depend on licensing to strengthen the industry’s legitimacy and position in the region,” Kariza explained.

The licensing process will involve application through an online portal www.tourismregulation.rw, and establishments will need to pay a fee before submitting to a physical inspection at their premises.

The pilot participants were required to submit an online licence application, upload a series of supporting documents, pay the application fee of RWF80 000 (€84) and undergo a physical inspection to demonstrate that they had fulfilled all licence requirements.

To facilitate the new regulation, the Tourism Department will soon convene a Tourism stakeholders meeting to deliberate on the matter.

Rwanda Tours and Travel Association Chairperson, Bonita Mutoni, said the private sector had been consulted over the formulation of the new regulation, adding that it would help improve tourism services and professionalism in the industry.