Burundi: Country in Tourism Gear

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East African Business Week (Kampala)

6 September 2008
Posted to the web 8 September 2008

Bujumbura

Burundi has launched a campaign to boost its tourism industry with a pledge by the head of state, President Pierre Nkurunziza, to take tourism as a top development agenda.

Speaking at the openning ceremony, held at Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika, Nkurunziza outlined efforts the Burundian government has already made to take tourism to the next level, seen by many as one with immense potential.

Some of the highlights that could boost tourism, said Nkurunziza, include the recent signing of the peace accord with the last remaining group of rebels and the peace building initiatives throughout the country.

"Insecurity is the main enemy of tourism," he said. "Government has undertaken a lot of effort to bring peace."

Burundi's tourism sector has been underdeveloped. According to statistics from the World Travel and Tourism Council, there was a growth of 12.4% in the period 1990 to 2000. This was the period of insecurity in the country. Between 2000 and 2005, an annual growth of 38.5% was registered with arrivals increasing from 29,000 in 2000 to 148,000 in 2005 with tourism receipts being $2 million in 2005.

Nkurunziza said tourism would serve the dual purpose of developing the economy and ensuring environmental protection.

He extolled ecotourism, saying community based initiatives and those aimed at fighting poverty should be given high priority. He also said the government was putting in place a policy to prevent poaching, illegal fishing and forest encroachment and burning.

He said government had formulated a new investment code that would soon be availed to stakeholders. The code outlines the many benefits to be enjoyed by potential investors.

In her speech, Carmen Nibigira, a top tourism stakeholder, said her motivation to help re-launch tourism in the country because she was a student of tourism. Her ideas were sharpened further when she attended a conference on tourism in Kampala.

During the re-launch week, invited guests were taken on a whirlwind tour of Burundi. Most of the areas of touristic interest were visited, all at the cost of the tourism board and through the contributions of stakeholders.

Areas visited were Kayanza where the Ruvubu power station and coffee growing areas are located, Ngozi, and coffee growing areas. Ngozi is also famous for its ambience and many people visit the place for recreation. The guests had a rest at Muyinga before traveling to Kirundo where they were treated to a great view of Cohoha and Rweru. Later, visitors traveled through Ruvubu National park where they were treated to sights of buffaloes, antelopes and beautiful trees. In Ruyigi, guests spent the night after watching traditional drummers and intore dancers.

The guests were also taken to Lac aux oiseaux for bird viewing and boat rides.

In Gitega, visitors were shown the famous tree marking the center of Burundi. It is believed that the tree stands equidistant from North and South, East and West. There is also an old German fort in Gitega, where the German governor of Rwanda-Urundi lived in 1896. In Theza visitors were able to see the great tea plantations and factory. In Busekera the group toured the batwa tourism village funded by the French Embassy.

Also visited during the trip were Saga Nyanza resort and hotel and Saga Resha, a construction sight for a tourism resort. In Bujumbura the tour saw Musee Vivant the Rwagasore Memorial, the Tourism information Center, and Parc de la Rusizi where hippos, birds and crocodiles live side by side.

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