From 17^th to 19^th November, Rwanda Embassy participated in the Hainan World Leisure Tourism Expo 2017, held in Haikou, Hainan Province of Southern China. The tourism expo was held in Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Centre premises and it was hosted by the Hainan Province Tourism Development Committee and Haikou People’s government.

Hainan is the smallest province of China and the nation’s southernmost point and is well known for its tropical climate, beach resorts and forested, mountainous interior, a character that it shares with the Western Province of Rwanda lying at the western edge of the Great Rift Valley of Eastern Africa

At the expo, the Embassy of Rwanda showcased the home tourism attractions through movie and photo presentations and cultural dances and displayed “Made in Rwanda” products. More than 12 countries including the Philippines, Croatia, Romania and Ireland attended along with regional tourism bureaus and more than 20 provinces and autonomous regions in China. At the opening ceremony, Mr. Shen Shaomin, the Governor of Hainan Province visited the Rwandan booth and enjoyed watching Rwanda’s exceptional cultural dance, which attracted thousands of spectators and exhibitors from China and overseas. “I only knew Rwanda by name from the internet”, said a Chinese exhibition participant, and a teacher from primary school in Haikou the capital city of Hainan Province.

During his interview with the media, H.E Ambassador Charles Kayonga said that participating in the tourism exhibitions and seminars, was an opportunity to showcase Rwanda’s tourism attractions such as beautiful landscape, national parks and culture, and to promote “Made in Rwanda” products to the Chinese people. He said that with the government's new visa policy of allowing travelers from across the world to receive a 30-day visa upon arrival starting from January next year, tourists going to Rwanda would greatly increase.

Ambassador called upon the investors in Hainan to invest in the Kivu Belt in Rwanda, which is the region designated for tourism investment in the country. The Ambassador noted that this year Rwanda has retained its status as second easiest place to do business in Africa ranked by World Bank Doing Business report, a factor that encourages Chinese investors to invest in the country. Ambassador Kayonga also met with provincial high level leaders including H.E Mr. Liu Cigui, Secretary General of Hainan Provincial CPC Committee, Mr, Wang Shen, Director General of Foreign & Overseas Chinese Affairs, Mr. Liu Yong, Director General of Department of Commerce and Mr. Chen Tiejun, Director General of Tourism Development Commission of Hainan Province. The officials expressed willingness to strengthen partnership and relations between Hainan and the Republic of Rwanda.

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