Benefiting local communities: Rwanda’s sustainable tourism strategy
On 6 May 2017, Rwanda Development Board announced that the price of gorilla permits (per person for one hour watching gorillas in the Volcanoes national park) will increase from US$ 750 to US$1,500 for all visitors with immediate effect. This increase is in line with Rwanda’s high-end tourism strategy over the years.
Endangered mountain gorillas living national parks have attracted a constant flow of tourists to the country. However, overtourism might pose threats to this rare species and its living environment if lack of sufficient conservation efforts and management. Furthermore, how to transform benefits from tourist industry into tangible and sustainable domestic development is also a big challenge to local government.
The strategy of Rwanda is to set higher prices for tourist attractions, such as gorilla trekking, in order to strengthen conservation and enhance visitors’ experience. Better status of gorilla conservation and quality of facilities should continuously attract visitors.
In the meantime, the tourism revenue is used to fund community projects and boost local economy. It is reported that more than 400 community projects have been completed including hospitals, schools, business development centers and water supply systems to facilitate access to clean water over the last 12 years, which directly benefit the people living around the parks.
News source:
http://www.volcanoesnationalparkrwanda.com/rwanda/rwanda-tourism-strategy.html