DRMumbai: The High Commission of Rwanda, Delhi, India, and Rwanda Development Board organised a workshop called Rwanda – The Royal Tour, on Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Held at The Westin Mumbai Garden City, the workshop was put together by Inspiration Unlimited Events & more. The workshop was organised to familiarise the travel trade and media to the grandness of Rwanda – the land of a thousand hills.
The event was attended by Joseph Kabakeza, First Counsellor and Acting High Commissioner of Rwanda in India, Mucyo Rutishisha, Second Counsellor, Rwanda High Commission, New Delhi, India, and Michael Savage, Founder and Managing Director, African Unique Safaris Ltd. – the first Australian registered DMC in Rwanda.
The highlight of the workshop was the screening of Rwanda – The Royal Tour, an extremely informative and entertaining documentary directed by well-known American journalist, Peter Greenberg. The documentary showcased the many aspects of Rwanda, and also had Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, walking and talking with Greenberg to show him his diverse country.
Speaking about how he lost his heart to Rwanda, Savage said, “I wanted a unique experience in comparison with the entire African continent. And, Rwanda gave me exactly that. While the mountain gorillas were instrumental in bringing me to the country, it was the warm and loving Rwandans that kept me there! I’m in awe of the country’s rich and vibrant culture, cleanliness, low corruptions levels, and so many other interesting aspects.”
Kabakeza noted, “There’s a lot more to Rwanda than the mountain gorillas. Our country is business friendly. Also, the direct flight from Mumbai to Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, by RwandAir (three flights a week) has really facilitated the travel between the two countries. Our visa on arrival facility is yet another added advantage. And, of course, we also offer lip-smacking vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian food.” He added jokingly, “But, I would recommend that when in Rwanda, please do try our local variety of fresh vegetables, and I promise you, you will be pleasantly surprised.”
According to a Gallup Report published in June 2018, Rwanda is the second safest country in Africa. In the recent few years, Rwanda has welcomed innumerable Indian tourists and corporates, and intends to see the numbers growing in 2020. Rutishisha further emphasised on the enthusiasm amongst several Indian tourists and business houses to visit and organise events in Rwanda and also about exploring the many opportunities that the country has to offer.
An engaging Q&A session with the travel trade and media was followed by a networking lunch.
Rwanda also actively participated at OTM 2020 held on February 3rd, 4th and 5th Bombay Exhibition & Convention Centre Goregaon and received The Most Exotic Destination Award. Rutishisha accepted the award from Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman and CEO, Fairfest Media Ltd. – Organisers of OTM and BLTM .
