Rwanda is banking on Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions (MICE) to grow its tourism sector.
In 2014, the contribution from tourism receipts was 10% and it wants to grow this to 24% by 2018.
According to the Rwanda Development Board, MICE has been identified as a long term strategy to boost Rwanda’s economy.
In 2015, MICE generated an estimated $39 million to Rwanda’s economy after the East African country hosted 27 major conferences and events as well as 12 association meetings.
Some of the international meetings which were held in Rwanda last year included the 84th Interpol General Assembly with ,000 delegates, the Transform Africa Summit with 1 500 delegates and the seventh East African Petroleum conference that attracted 700 delegates.
The Rwanda Development Board indicates that this year, the country has hosted the African Nations Championship that welcomed 15 000 visitors and the World Economic Forum on Africa, which brought 2 500 delegates.
In 2014, the Rwandan government established the Rwanda Convention Bureau to fast track the development of the MICE sub-sector.
The Bureau serves the interests of Rwanda’s MICE sub-sector stakeholders by offering free impartial advice, guidance and support to international event planners and buyers, incentive, association and convention organisers through every stage of planning.
Rwanda Development Board, chief tourism officer, Belise Kariza says Rwanda’s connectivity and security make the country an attractive place for international conference organisers.
She said: “The open visa policy has made it easier for delegates from around the world to fly to our country for MICE activities.”
Belise adds that Rwandan capital city, Kigali, is clean and business friendly making it a suitable environment for conferences and meetings.
In recent years, Rwanda has attracted reputable international hotel brands which include Radisson Blu and Marriott Hotels.
In order to boost the MICE sub-sector further, the Rwandan government is expected to unveil the more than $300m (R4,75bn) Kigali Convention Centre, in June this year.
