Despite the tensions at the Uganda and Rwanda border, tourism in Rwanda is seemingly in an upscale mode. Number of high-end American tourists visiting Rwanda has grown by 114 per cent on year on year basis. The data released by international travel agency network- Virtuoso – reveals that Rwanda was among the top 10 countries that have experienced significant increases by percentage in year-over-year bookings among American travellers. Other countries that had attracted American travelers were Uruguay, Malta, Romania, Puerto Rico, Egypt, and The Maldives. Before arriving at the conclusion, the agency network has collated and analyzed data from over 1,000 travel agency partners and 20,000 elite travel advisors across North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.
The luxury American tourists had an interest in exploring new destinations, seeking fresh adventures, enjoying a pleasant climate, tasting less-explored cuisines and retreats for relaxation-focused travellers. Rwanda has been implementing a number of new projects to grow tourism revenues. These include creating a diversity of wildlife in local parks with the addition of rhinos and lions. The tourism sector is also working towards high-value kind of tourism due to the returns it promises. Some of the tourist attractions in the country include Bisate Lodge, Amakoro Songa Lodge, and Nyungwe and the now opened Kwitonda Lodge near Virunga National Park.
Of late, Rwanda has been experiencing high demand for luxurious high-end tourism. Most of the luxurious facilities have a 90 percent booking for August and September and 55 percent booking for the next four months hence. The high-end tourists are wealthy and often those who care about conservation, sustainability and are adventure savvy who indulge in trekking and travelling to difficult terrains.. The country is also mapping newer destinations to develop to suit the tastes and preferences of the high-end tourists.
