KIGALI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda's gorilla permit promotional rates, extended from January to December this year, present a significant opportunity for boosting tourism businesses, Rwandan tour operators said.
To aid the ongoing recovery of the tourism industry, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) recently announced an extension of the promotional rates for gorilla trekking until Dec. 31, applicable to both domestic and foreign tourists.
As part of the extended promotional rates implemented in the aftermath of COVID-19, Rwandans and East Africans now pay 200 U.S. dollars, while foreign residents in Rwanda, other African citizens and foreign residents in African countries pay 500 dollars for gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. In comparison, the normal rate for foreigners is 1,500 dollars.
Andrew Gatera, founder of G-Step, a tour company, said "extending the promotional rates is very positive as it provides a good opportunity for Rwandan tourism operators to sell gorilla trekking tickets to more tourists because it makes the product more affordable."
Gatera emphasized the importance of these special rates in developing the regional and domestic markets, leading to increased revenue for both the government and tour operators.
Under the current regulations, promotional permits for nationals, foreign residents, East Africans and other African citizens must be purchased 72 hours in advance before the trekking date, the RDB said.
Pacifique Ndayisaba, another tour operator, said the promotional rates would simplify the task for tour companies in attracting tourists, making the trekking experience more accessible and helping grow their businesses.
Rwandan tourism expert Louise Mukandekezi said the promotional rates set by Rwanda could enhance East Africa's tourism, as many tourists might take advantage of the East African Community's single tourist visa, offering multiple entries to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda with a single document.
Thanks to its conservation efforts, Rwanda has seen an increase in the mountain gorilla population in recent years. The 2016 census reported 604 individuals in Africa's Virunga Massif, contributing to the worldwide population of mountain gorillas reaching 1,063, and they are no longer categorized as critically endangered. ■
