Rwanda launches preparations for inaugural Miss Tourism event

(eTN) – Rwanda’s first ever Miss Tourism contest will be underway on May 10th, when the 15 finalists, selected from Rwanda’s university and tourism colleges, will be revealed and introduced to the

(eTN) – Rwanda’s first ever Miss Tourism contest will be underway on May 10th, when the 15 finalists, selected from Rwanda’s university and tourism colleges, will be revealed and introduced to the public at the Hotel Mille des Collines in Kigali by the event organizers.

On that date the Eureka Group in conjunction with the Rwanda Development Board’s Tourism and Conservation Department and national airline RwandAir will formally launch the activities, which will culminate in a Grand Gala Final held at the Kigali Serena Conference Centre on June 1.

From May 14 on the participants will undergo training in the shape of a ‘boot camp’ to prepare them for the final sessions, where tourism knowledge and skills will be high on the agenda and the score sheets of the judges.

The event’s organizers have invited over 40 tour operators and travel agents from across Eastern Africa, as well as a small group of selected media houses, including global industry leader eTurboNews, to cover the event and participate in a familiarization tour of Rwanda’s key attractions.

On the visiting schedule will be the ‘Enchanted Forest, aka Nyungwe Forest National Park’, the shores of Lake Kivu with a visit to Kibuye and then along the route of the Congo Nile Trail to Gisenyi. Not to be missed is a rendezvous with the gentle giants of the Virunga mountains – the gorillas, before returning to Kigali for the grand final when Rwanda’s first ever Miss Tourism will be crowned. In line with the event’s objectives the winner will be awarded a full scholarship for a Master Degree program in tourism, which will earn the winning lady not just a crown but knowledge for a future career in the tourism industry.

Tourism is one of Rwanda’s key economic activities and has in recent years grown in leaps and bounds, regularly recording double digit growth numbers, and is expected to earn the country over 300 million US Dollars this year. A deliberate government policy of environmental protection, forest restoration and proactive marketing across the globe, alongside product diversification and innovations, has made Rwanda one of East Africa’s most sought after destinations. MICE tourism is being promoted using existing facilities like the Kigali Serena Hotel and Conference Centre, the upcoming Kigali Marriott Hotel and Conference Centre and will receive a further boost next year, when the country’s new international convention centre will open.

RwandAir, the national carrier, too is playing a critical role in promoting the country and has in recent years aggressively expanded both network and fleet, positioning itself as a key player in African aviation.

Visit www.misstourismrwanda.com for additional information.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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