Rwanda is participating at the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market (COTTM) from April 16th – 18th, 2018, at the New Hall, National Agricultural Exhibition Center, in Beijing, the capital city of China and one of the most popular cities in the world.

According to COTTM report 2017, this it is the leading travel trade show in China’s outbound tourism industry and remains the only business to business event focusing purely on the burgeoning outbound market. Now entering its 14th year, COTTM attracts over 4300 Chinese trade buyers. The event has created a huge marketplace for all exhibitors who present their innovative tourism services with a large number of exhibitors. Rwanda is showcasing the country as a premier business and tourism destination in Africa while building awareness of Rwanda’s diverse range of unique experiences, for both leisure and business travel.

Present at the Remarkable Rwanda Stand is Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Embassy in China, Rwandan and local tour operators, Rwanda Mountain Tea and RwandAir. With its upcoming flights to Guangzhou, RwandAir is consolidating its position as a carrier of choice. Rwandan Culture is being displayed through dance and performances throughout the 3 days adding glamour to Rwanda’s participation at the international fair.

Speaking at the travel show, the Ambassador of Rwanda to China, Lt. General Charles Kayonga emphasized “the importance of the China outbound tourism market in boosting tourism arrivals in Rwanda and deepening trade between Rwanda and China. He stated that Rwanda’s participation at China’s leading travel show presented a good opportunity to tap into a fast-growing market of tourists”. Chinese tourists are also the world’s biggest spenders having overtaken Germans and Americans in 2012.

Chinese outbound tourism has been increasing annually since 2006, by average of 13%. According to the statistics from China Tourism Academy in 2016, there were more than 122 million Chinese outbound trips, an increase of 4.3% over the previous year. Chinese market is becoming more and more mature, with its increasing Free Independent Traveler travelers (FIT), more diversified tourist destinations, more insightful and appreciation of the African destinations. “We’ve seen the growth of maturity and interest in the Chinese travelers. China will remain first focus of attention for a number of strategic reasons” Ambassador Kayonga added.

Tourists who visit Africa from Asia represent about 10% of the 47 million international tourists the continent receives. One of the reasons for this low traffic from Asia to Africa could be insufficient knowledge about how to tap into the growing Asian source markets. In 2017, Rwanda hosted 40,920 visitors from Asia. In Asia - Pacific market, China is positioned at the second place in terms of visitor numbers after India. Comparing with other countries in East Africa Community, Kenya hosts almost 8 times Chinese of what Rwanda hosts while Tanzania hosts almost 3 times Chinese of those visiting Rwanda but this is bound to change, according to Ambassador Kayonga. He went on to say that “Rwanda combines some of the attractions experienced in many of the neighboring countries with others that are unique to the country and should therefore feature on next Chinese tourists to the region as long as the momentum of information campaign is maintained”.

Tourism is the largest service export in Rwanda and it is projected to continue grow at a rate over 10% annually. The sector also is a key contributor to the national export strategy, a low hanging fruit, to boost the economy. 

“We are looking forward to work closely with Rwanda Development Board, and promoting tourism attractions in Rwanda” Mrs. Mara Zhou, the co-founder of BoBu Africa said. The BoBu Africa, a famous network media platform that connects Africa through telling Africa story by offering engaging journeys and selling unique products, that attracts Chinese tourists to enjoy multidimensional experience of Africa’s culture.

The Travel network platform looks forward to open the Travel Agency in Kigali, following the Beijing, Shenzhen, Ethiopia and Tanzania agencies.

Rwanda presents a variety of tourism assets ranging from the natural attractions such as the world famous mountain gorilla in the Volcanoes National Park, 13 species of primates in Nyungwe National park, about 700 species of birds, flora including the orchids, to the unique culture and heritage that make it a desirable destination for any type of tourist among others.

ENDS.