Boosting tourism numbers in Rwanda & Zimbabwe

Business operators are keen to capitalize on the deepened trade ties between Rwanda and Zimbabwe, which have seen trade grow by 50 per cent in the last three years. Tafadzwa Katiyo, the Managing Director of Hungwe Travel, shed light on the trends around tourism during a CNBC Africa interview with Derrick Muhangi. Hungwe Travel is a global destination company that specializes in visiting African countries and has been in operation since 1993. Katiyo highlighted the importance of tourism in linking various sectors such as food, culture, and real estate, emphasizing the role it plays in the overall economy. The recent Rwanda-Zimbabwe forum presented significant opportunities for Hungwe Travel to explore collaborations and expand its operations in both countries. One of the key outcomes of the forum was the potential for increased integration of tourism activities in Rwanda. Katiyo expressed admiration for Rwanda's tourism potential and underscored the importance of establishing strong partnerships with local industry leaders. By leveraging existing relationships with airlines and hotels, Hungwe Travel aims to enhance the travel experience for its clients and promote tourism between Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Additionally, the company is looking to forge partnerships with local cultural spaces to offer authentic cultural experiences to tourists visiting Rwanda. In terms of future investments, Hungwe Travel is eyeing expansion into the Rwandan market, capitalizing on the country's growing popularity as a tourist destination. Katiyo highlighted the potential for hosting events in Rwanda, citing the country's modern event spaces as a key attraction for international markets. By diversifying its offerings to include event planning services, Hungwe Travel aims to contribute to Rwanda's tourism sector's growth and development. However, Katiyo also acknowledged the challenges facing the company, particularly in navigating language barriers and cultural differences. Rwanda's linguistic diversity, with some residents speaking French and others speaking Kinyarwanda, presents a communication challenge for businesses operating in the country. Despite these hurdles, Katiyo remains optimistic about the opportunities present in Rwanda and the unique cultural experiences it offers to tourists. In conclusion, Hungwe Travel's presence at the Rwanda-Zimbabwe forum underscores the growing collaboration between the two countries in the tourism sector. By leveraging partnerships and exploring new investment opportunities, the company is poised to contribute significantly to Rwanda's tourism growth and enhance cross-border travel between Rwanda and Zimbabwe.