Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Presented by: Werabe Emmanuel Director of Tourism RDB T&C The Role of Tourism in Poverty Alleviation in Rwanda

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Our Mission Is …. To conserve the rich biodiversity of the Protected Areas and to develop, sustainable tourism in collaboration with stakeholders for the benefit of all the Rwanda People

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Rwanda Tourism Products: National Parks Rwandas three National Parks are its most famous attractions as tourists are eager to see their fascinating flora and fauna. The protection and enhancement of these parks is a vital priority Akagera National Park Akagera National Park, defined by its archetypal African savannah landscape Volcanoes National Park Volcanoes National Park on the slopes of the Virunga mountain range, famous for the countrys biggest attraction, the mountain gorillas Nyungwe National Park Nyungwe National Park, the largest single tract of montane forest in East and Central Africa with incredibly rich biodiversity

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Rwanda Tourism Products: Cultural Tourism Rwandas distinctive culture attracts visitors keen to learn about and appreciate Rwandas history, society and unique cultural expressions. Traditional dances, tours through local communities, and visits to the countrys museums and kings palace give tourists a better understanding of where Rwanda is coming from and where it is going as a nation.

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Tourism as a poverty reduction strategy Target 225 million USD by 2010 Direct employment 490,000 by 2010 By 2016 expected to account for 5.8% GDP and 4.6% of employment (WTTC source) Tourism will help conserve our environment (we provide incentives for conservation 5% of park revenue) Tourism policy is in place and outlines the role of all stakeholders in tourism development Community tourism guidelines that will support and streamline Rwandese initiatives

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux RDB-T&C Efforts: Poverty Alleviation and Revenue Sharing in Tourism Poverty Alleviation Association Banda – 100 employees, sales point of handicrafts at RDB-T&C Headquarters Nyungwe National Park, language training by ORTPN Kinigi Guest House (ASOFERWA) – Support to guest house: employs 35 people, offers tailoring school for women, associations with other womens associations Sacola Lodge – Over 600 employees 80% women, fully owned by community, funds generated from Kwita Izina-Gorilla Naming Ceremony Community Tourism Initiatives Bee keeping Pottery projects Sustainable farming Tea and coffee tours Town tours, village tours, tours to local markets Genocide memorial sites and personal accounts Gacaca courts Nyabitsinde Primary School Revenue Sharing by RDB-T&C Rain water collection tanks 5% of park revenues offered to communities as incentives for conservation; RDB-T&C has so far provided $546,279 to support community projects

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Some Tourism initiatives for poverty alliviation in Rwanda Association Banda Employment to over 100 people Activities performed: Traditional dance / handicraft souvenirs/ table cloth /performance – ceremonial wedding/ brewing etc Sales point is RDB T&C H/Q Nyungwe National Park Local guides trained by RDB T&C Speak English and French

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Traditional Baskets( Gahaya Links)

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Kinigi Guest House ASOFERWA Women association ASOFAKI provides all the food to the hotel worth 450,000 Rwf Tailoring school for women – provides tailoring facilities to Hotel worth 300,000 Rwf Community Women run the souvenir shop in the lodge Maracuja project Employs 35 permanent staff

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux SACOLA Lodge Over 600 local Community,80% women Fully Owned by the Communities Funds Generated from Gorilla naming Ceremony, USAID IGCP and Private donor

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Milk Cooler -KARANGAZI

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Revenue Sharing- Nyabitsinde Primary school (Musanze District

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Revenue Sharing-Rain Water collection tanks

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Other examples of community tourism Initiatives Traditional dancing Bee keeping Arts and crafts Pottery Projects Sustainable Farming Tea and coffee tours Town tours, Village tours and visits to local markets Genocide memorial sites and accounts of the tragic part of Rwanda history Gacaca Courts,etc

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Research priorities Information needed on tourism and poverty reduction by RDB-TC Community benefits from tourism investments What do communities need to do to benefit more from tourism?

Rwanda Office for Tourism and National Parks / Office Rwandaise Pour le Tourisme et Parcs Nationaux Murakoze! Thank You!