Visit Rwanda showcases the best of Rwanda’s tourist attractions at the Vakantiebeurs Tourism Fair in Utrecht, Netherlands, from 10 -14 January 2024.
The Vakantiebeurs Tourism Fair is a premier travel fair catering to the BeNeLux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) market, drawing exhibitors from over 100 countries.
Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there has been a gradual recovery in tourist numbers from the Netherlands to Rwanda. The year 2023 has marked a significant milestone, emerging as the most successful since the pandemic, with a recovery rate of 75.3%.
Ariella Kageruka, the Head of Tourism and Conservation at Rwanda Development Board said: “We are thrilled to once again showcase Rwanda’s diverse tourism offerings at Vakantiebeurs, providing an excellent opportunity for Rwandan tour operators to further expand their reach in the BeNeLux market, one of Rwanda’s strategic source markets for leisure tourism.”
The Vakantiebeurs Tourism Fair’s previous edition attracted over 65,000 visitors throughout the 5-day event, and an estimated 65% of attendees are anticipated to return for the 2024 edition.
Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Netherlands said: “Rwanda is becoming a popular destination for adventure enthusiasts worldwide due to its diverse tourism experiences, such as kayaking on Lake Kivu or cycling the Congo Nile Trail. Vakantiebeurs provides the ideal platform to showcase Rwanda’s cycling attractions. This is especially relevant in The Netherlands, where on average, each person owns 1.4 bikes, making it an excellent market to promote Rwanda’s cycling products.”
Alongside Visit Rwanda’s presence at the fair, representatives from Wanderlux Safaris, Blue Monkey Tours, Palast Tours & Travels and RwandAir will also be participating in various side events and networking sessions designed to engage travel agents, tour operators, and potential travelers within the market.
Visit Rwanda is the tourism campaign of the Rwanda Development Board, a government body responsible for fast-tracking Rwanda’s economic development by enabling private sector growth. Visit Rwanda works with conservation and tourism partners to create unique tourist experiences while empowering local communities and enabling the conservation of natural ecosystems. (End)