Rwanda

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Comment by Tripatini on January 3, 2010 at 5:56pm

Rwanda gets a shout-out in this week's Tripatini blog survey of hot destinations for 2010 -- check it out!

Comment by Marcell Claassen on November 18, 2009 at 2:34pm

Birding in Rwanda - simply great! I've also started the Rwanda Bird Atlas project where we'll try to collect as many records of sightings (linked to GPS co-ords) over the next 3 years so we can update the lists and distribution of birds in Rwanda. There will hopefully be a publication subsequently - follow the blog on Rwanda birds http://rwandabirdingguide.blogspot.com/

Also feel free to contact me about info on birding locations etc - I'm also a freelance birding guide based in Ruhengeri (Musanze), NW Rwanda

Comment by Evert Jakobs on November 15, 2009 at 7:49am

Country Tops Africa at London Tourism Expo
by Edwin Musoni for The New Times

Kigali — Rwanda was the only African country to be awarded with one of the five awards at the ongoing World Travel Market (WTM 2009) Exhibition in London.

Rwanda scooped the Best Stand Personnel award beating 600 selected exhibitors.

The staff at the Rwanda booth has been described by WTM as very friendly, vibrant and culturally authentic.
(see the pictures)

The annual WTM event attracts nearly 50,000 exhibitors and over 2,500 travel media from over 190 countries; this year's exhibition that kicked off on Monday is expected to end tomorrow.
Speaking to The New Times, Rwanda's Ambassador to the UK, Claver Gatete, said that Rwanda showcased its investment opportunities and tourism potential during the exhibition.
"Rwanda was awarded with 'Most Effective Stand Personnel' for good personnel, excellent customer service and doing business at the stand," said Gatete.
"We are happy that Rwanda's progress in tourism and development in general has been recognized by the WTM with such a prestigious award of best personnel. As the only African recipient of a WTM award Rwanda has made our country and Africa proud," he added.
Gatete added that part of the considerations made by the judges to give Rwanda the award was for its user-friendly stand with easy access.
He noted that; "It was an opportunity to show case our general economic performance and the tourism potentials. We showcased that Rwanda has a lot to offer in the tourism sector that would become an engine to our economic growth and assist in boosting tourism in the East African Community."
A statement from the Rwanda Tourism Board attributes Rwanda's excellent performance to good customer service and professionalism.
It also quotes Deputy CEO of the Rwanda Development Board- Tourism and Conservation, Rosette Rugamba saying, "This is a tremendous achievement for the country coming six years after Rwanda was re-launched at the same expo."

She adds that visitors to the Rwandan stand had the opportunity to learn about the new experiences, including a new canopy walk in Nyungwe forest.
Rwanda has emerged best exhibitor in the African category three times continuously during the annual Berlin exhibition
(see the pictures).

Comment by Evert Jakobs on November 15, 2009 at 7:45am

Headlines for Access Rwanda Safaris at WTM 2009.

By offering (mountain gorilla) Safaris for the physically challenged and elderly people, Access Rwanda Safaris appeared to be the only company at the WTM 2009 who paid attention to this neglected group of potential tourists.

Access Rwanda Safaris
Supporting WTM WRTD for the first time, Access Rwanda Safaris are promoting Home Stay Tours in Rwanda where visitors can stay with ordinary Rwandan people and participate in their social, cultural, economic and traditional activities.
Access Rwanda Safaris also strongly believe and practice the non-discriminative policy of assisting and helping the physically handicapped and more mature visitor experience its tourist attractions.

In 2007 WTM agreed in a declaration that responsible tourism is:

minimizes negative economic, environmental and social impacts
generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities; improves working conditions and access to the industry
involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances
makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity
provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues
provides access for physically challenged people
is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence
Access Rwanda Safaris
Supporting WTM WRTD for the first time, Access Rwanda Safaris are promoting Home Stay Tours in Rwanda where visitors can stay with ordinary Rwandan people and participate in their social, cultural, economic and traditional activities. Access Rwanda Safaris also strongly believe and practice the non-discriminative policy of assisting and helping the physically handicapped and more mature visitor experience its tourist attractions.

Comment by Tripatini on November 10, 2009 at 11:34am

Great article from the Nov. 8, 2009 London Times:

Welcome back to Rwanda

Despite the violence of the recent past, Rwandans are now moving on - and receiving visitors with open arms

by Sally Emerson

On my first day in Kigali, I had lunch on the veranda of the Banana hotel, eating perfect grilled fresh fish from Lake Kivu.

The horrors of the 1994 genocide weave into every part of life here in Rwanda, and before long, the glamorous owner, Françoise, confided that, on her return to Kigali from Brussels after the massacres, it was “like a horror movie” ...

Keep reading

Comment by Evert Jakobs on October 30, 2009 at 3:44am

Rwanda is a country for those who love to do birdwatching.
It is a safe country, quiet, not to many tourists and numerous (rare) birds.
For more information you can go to:
www.rwanda-birds.com and for bookings to go there:
www.access-rwanda-safaris.com.

Evert