Rwanda is targeting to fetch at least $14million from the annual gorilla naming ceremony branded as Kwita Izina promotional week.
Kwita Izina activities are scheduled to start on August 28 until September 5. Rwanda wants to popularize the event in low tourism season. Originally, the ceremony was held in June when the region experiences a high tourism season.
“The choice of new date was strategic in balancing seasonal incomes,” says Ambassador Yamini Karitanyi head of Tourism department at Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
According to RDB, Twenty four baby gorillas will be named, an increase compared to 17 and 18 baby gorillas for 2013 and 2014, thanks to the crucial conservation efforts.
Dennis Karera, the chairman of Hotels’ association in Rwanda, also chairman of East African business council said; “We are marketing the event regionally and internationally. Our hotels will be full to capacity that very week.”
Kwita Izina attracts global tour operators, international media, conservationists and other global figures from various fields of work.
According to RDB the average expenditure of a tourist in Rwanda is US$300 per day for hotel accommodation, food, hangout and transport. Other expenses not linked to the hotel are not included in this amount.
Rwanda would earn $ 2.1 million per night if all the rooms are occupied.
Karera also said that with 7000 hotel rooms’ capacity, Rwanda is ready to give the best accommodation ever.
Gorillas earned the country over $ 15 million last year, out of $ 303 million contributed by the whole tourism sector. The target is to increase sector contribution to $ 800 in by 2017.
Kwita Izina and preparatory events are set to reap money straight away and to market the country for future business.
During this period August 28-29th, Rwanda is scheduled to showcase Inka z’u Rwanda the traditional long horned cattle in Eastern province.
“My clients like their elegance and their beautiful horns which they compare to the elephant’s ivory,” said John Kayihura, a Rwandan tourism consultant.
Other activities will include a conservation forum, a photo and business exhibition, a familiarization trip among others.
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