“Any African can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish and will not pay a thing to enter our country”-President Kagame

Rwanda President Paul Kagame, welcomed all African citizens to visit Rwanda, whenever they want, without paying anything to enter the country.

He said this today, November 2, during the official opening of World Travel and Tourism Council Summit (WTTCS) 2023 which convened around 1200 participants together with the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hasssan; the Vice-President of Burundi, Prosper Bazombanza; Arnold Donald, Chair, World Travel & Tourism Council; Julia Simpson, President & Chief Executive Officer, World Travel & Tourism Council; and so many other High Personalities.

In his opening remarks, he said: “Globally the travel and tourism industry has recovered strongly. But the high cost of that travel to Africa and within Africa remains a barrier. Implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market is therefore an important priority. We also removed visa restrictions for citizens of every African country as well as many other countries. Let there be no mistake about it. Any African can get on a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish and will not pay a thing to enter our country. We should not lose a sight of our continental market. Africans are the future of global tourism as our middle class continues to grow at a fast pace in the decades to come. We must work closely together with the partners like you, to continue developing Africa into a premiere destination for global travel.”

President of Republic of Rwanda, his Excellency Paul Kagame, also welcomed all delegates, saying he will be pleased to see them “return here often” and thanked them for their kind attention.

It is the first time WTTCS happens in Africa, and that started with Rwanda. President Paul Kagame said this is very important for Rwanda tourism and for African Tourism as well because “When tourists visit Rwanda, they usually also have a stop in Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi or Uganda as well. We are actually a single destination with attractions and experiences that reinforce one another.”

Hosting WTTCS shows how Rwanda has become a big tourist attraction and how the Rwandan Tourism industry has grown, signaled President Paul Kagame, thanking WTTC and expressing how this moment is meaningful for Rwanda and for Africa.

“To WTTC, I thank you very much for choosing Rwanda as the venue for this year’s summit and for the excellent work that you and your members are doing. You honor not only our country, Rwanda, but also Africa as whole. From here, Africa can connect with the rest of the world and vice versa.”- He said.

President Kagame recalled how after Rwanda’s tragic moments during Genocide against Tutsi in 1994 and a little after, people feared Rwanda, yet now the country rose from the ashes and became the first African country to host the best Travel and Tourism event ever.

“Almost 30 years ago, Rwanda experienced its darkest moment. This was a place that people fled from. A situation that the world looked away from in horror. But we vowed not to let the past define us. This meant building a nation where all Rwandans live in peace and dignity. And indeed beyond that, we imagined a Rwanda that anyone in the world would want to travel to.”- He explained.

It is for the first time that World Travel and Tourism Council Summit happens in Africa, and Rwanda has become the first country in Africa to host it, in partnership with Rwanda Development Board through “Visit Rwanda” brand. It is happening in Kigali from November 01 to November 03, 2023.

Last year’s WTTCS was hosted by The Philippines in Asia, and the 2021’s WTTCS by Mexico in North America.

WTTCS is an annual Global Summit that is the most influential Travel & Tourism event on the calendar, and this year, it is happening in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together industry leaders with key government representatives to continue aligning efforts to support the sector’s recovery and move beyond to a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

Photo credits: Olivier Mugwiza