Did you know that the new Kigali Convention Centre (KCC)can seat 2600 delegates, is just 10 minutes from the Kigali International Airport and has 1000 high-end rooms in close proximity?
Rwanda is increasingly becoming a destination of choice for international conferences and event organisers. Rwanda’s tourism industry, a key pillar in the country’s Vision 2020, is the top foreign exchange earner, and one of the country’s largest employers.
The country has successfully hosted a number of high-level conferences since opening the KCC in mid-2016 including the World Economic Forum on Africa and the African Union Summit.
Positioned on a hilltop in the heart of Kigali near Parliament, the development is acknowledged as one of the most modern structures in Africa. Encompassing a translucent dome modelled on a traditional Rwandan Palace, a multi-functional hall with a maximum capacity of 2,600, the KCC is helping position Rwanda as the leading MICE destination in East Africa.
The Government of Rwanda has identified the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) tourism sector as providing a clear and long-term opportunity to diversify and grow Rwanda’s export strategy.
In tandem with the KCC, a number of international 4 and 5-star hotel brands have set up in the country, including Radisson Blu, Marriott, Park Inn, Sheraton, Zinc, Protea and Golden Tulip, among others. Together, they will add over 1,000 high-end rooms to the market.
Located just 10 minutes from the city centre, the Kigali International Airport (KIA) upgrade is now complete; the expanded airport is able to handle 1,500,000 passengers annually (from its prior capacity of 500,000 passengers). A new and even larger airport is planned in Bugesera, 20 km outside Kigali.
The nation’s flag carrier RwandAir is one of the fastest growing airlines on the African continent connecting up to 18 business hubs in East Africa, West Africa, South Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Kigali city hub is strategically positioned to allow easy access to an incredible offering of pre and post-convention tours to explore Rwanda’s remarkable natural and cultural attractions.
Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”, Rwanda boasts undulating green landscapes of hills, Africa’s largest protected rainforest, volcanoes, coffee and tea plantations. It is home to one-third of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas, fourteen species of primates, one-third of Africa’s bird species, three National Parks, including Akagera, a big game safari park with resorts and islands on the expansive Lake Kivu, graceful dancers, artistic crafts and the friendliest of people. In September this year, Rwanda will hold the 11th annual Kwita Izina (naming of baby gorillas) ceremony.
Rwanda has a rich culture that includes captivating music and dance, a growing contemporary art industry and wonderful crafts including pottery, basketry, painting, jewellery, woodcarving and metalwork. A window into Rwanda’s history is provided by the many memorial sites and museums preserved around the country. A number of Community-Based Tourism experiences offer travellers the opportunity to experience the destination’s rich cultural life.
About Rwanda Convention Bureau
Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) is a strategic business unit of Rwanda Development Board’s Tourism and Conservation Department.
Established in 2014 RCB promotes Rwanda as a premier destination and is your one-stop solution for assistance, information and neutral advice on hosting and organising MICE/business events in Rwanda. Whether an international convention, association meeting, conference, incentive trip or exhibition the RCB can assist you with every step of event planning.
Rwanda Convention Bureau is proud to be Africa’s latest International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Member.
What RCB can do for You
RCB represents the best interests of Rwanda’s MICE industry stakeholders and offers free impartial advice, guidance and support to international event planners and buyers, incentive, association and convention organisers through every stage of planning.
RCB invite the travel trade to take advantage of RCB’s depth of local knowledge in putting you in touch with the right venues, hotels, professional conference organisers, tour operators and all the support services necessary. RCB can assist with:
- Event bid preparation and presentation.
- Engaging with Government and Private Sector specialists in supporting the event
- Sourcing of suitable venues, accommodation and operators
- Hosting and co-ordination of site inspection visits
- Advice on marketing and sponsorship
- Delegate boosting support
- Advice on event budgets and particularly on the social component of the event.
- Pre and post tours and incentive group travel.
- Provision of promotional material including guides, destination video and other collateral.
Rwanda Means Business. Let’s meet in Remarkable Rwanda.
For more information visit www.rcb.rw
