RWANDA TO RECEIVE JAPANESE TOURISTS

Japanese decision to open an embassy an embassy in Kigali was announced by the Japanese secretary of state for foreign affairs ,Ms .Seiko Hashimoto , who visited Kigari last mouth.

Rwanda received 1,046 Japanese tourists last year but she said this could increase if transport to Rwanda and restrictions in its tourism sector that prevent mass tourism are eased.

 

Hashimoto accompanied by 17 Japanese officials from the public sector and the tourism industry was in Rwanda ahead of the Asia – Africa Business Forum that concluded last month in Kampala Uganda.

 

The president of planet Tour Services a Japanese a tour company Emon Tanaka said it takes 30 hours in air from Tokyo to Kigali and it also very difficult for Japanese tour companies to commercialize itineraries for their clients visiting Rwanda for gorillas .

He cited the restricted number of gorilla’s visitors and limited tourism products in Rwanda as some of other reasons that could be limiting Japanese to come Rwanda.

 

Japanese are big spenders and at least 20 million visit other countries every year. The head of Rwanda Tourism Board Rosette Rugamba  said Rwanda could solve the transport problem if only it gets direct flights to the rest of the world .

 

Currently Brussels Air lines is the only air liner that connects the country directly to Europe. Rugamba differed with Tanaka saying The challenge is not limited products but its how market them she said birding as a new product currently available in the country.

 

Rwanda has a permanent embassy in Japan while Japan serves Rwanda through its embassy in Nairobi Kenya. However the Japanese international Cooperation Agency (JICA)has an office  in Kigali.

 

Through mutual ties between the two countries Rwanda could also sell its tasty Arabica quality coffee and mountain tea to the Japan . The Rwandan importers will also benefit on the cooperation as it will easy for them to access visas.    

Last Year 2008 Travel Hemispheres handled many Japanese  to track gorillas in Rwanda after wildlife tour in Uganda   Japanese clients are interested in more in culture and exploring fellow people way of living and even the pygmies  who used to stay in the forests now where gorillas are living.  Also many Japanese have done Uganda safaris.