Tourism in Rwanda
Senior 2 · Geography and Environment
Tourism in Rwanda
Lesson 3 of 3
20 min
According to the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda received more than 1.4 million international visitors in 2023 and earned about US$620 million from them (check current figures). Tourism is described as one of the country's leading sources of foreign exchange. But in 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic stopped international travel almost overnight, and hotels, guides and craft sellers lost their income. This lesson weighs what tourism gives Rwanda, the problems it brings, and how they can be managed.
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Shocks: pandemics, Ebola outbreaks in neighbouring countries and regional insecurity can empty hotels suddenly | Promote domestic tourism; diversify into conferences, sports events and culture; health and safety measures |
| Dependence on a few attractions (above all the gorillas) and on foreign visitors | Develop new attractions: the Congo Nile Trail, birding, Lake Kivu, museums, Gishwati-Mukura |
| Seasonality: fewer visitors in the rainy seasons | Off-season prices, indoor events and conferences |
| Human–wildlife conflict: animals leave parks and damage crops | Fences, buffer zones, compensation for farmers; the plan to enlarge Volcanoes National Park includes a buffer zone of farmland and agroforestry that is expected to cut such conflicts by 80% |
| Environmental damage: litter, trail erosion, disturbance of animals; gorillas can catch human illnesses | Limits on visitor numbers, keeping a distance from the animals, no visits when ill, the plastic-bag ban |
| Leakage: part of the profit leaves the country through foreign-owned hotels and imported goods | Buy local food and crafts; train Rwandans as managers; encourage local investors |
| Unequal benefits: some people near the parks feel they gain little | Share revenue fairly, involve cooperatives and vulnerable households, and create local jobs |
| Shortage of skilled hospitality workers | Training in hotel and tourism schools |
| High prices keep many Rwandans from visiting their own parks | Lower prices for residents and school visits |
The benefit-sharing scheme shows why the last problems matter: a review fifteen years after it began found that about 57% of people near the parks were satisfied with it, while about 20% were not.
Figures from Wikipedia's article on Akagera National Park.
Tip
Balance earns marks. For “evaluate the importance of tourism”, give benefits and costs, then conclude. Pair each problem with its solution on the same line: human–wildlife conflict → buffer zones and compensation; dependence on foreign visitors → domestic tourism.
Solution: jobs as guides, porters and hotel staff; revenue sharing that pays for schools, health centres and water; and a market for crafts and food.
Solution: leakage is tourism income that leaves the country, for example the profits of foreign-owned hotels. It is reduced by buying local goods and training Rwandan managers and investors.
Solution: most tourist spending comes from international visitors, who cancel travel when there is a health risk in the region, as happened with COVID-19.
Solution: 6,000 ÷ 20,000 × 100 = 30%.
Solution: for: it earns foreign exchange and jobs and pays for conservation. Against: it can cause environmental damage and unequal benefits. A good conclusion says the benefits are larger when problems are managed.
Summary
Sources and credits
The lists, the problem and solution table, the worked example and the practice items are written by Ganzaa.
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
