Rwanda Meeting Planners Guide 2018 1 Welcome to Remarkable Rwanda Let’s Talk Business elcome to Kigali, Rwanda’s booming inaugurated followed by the 254-room Marriott capital city, conference ready with Kigali that was officially launched in early October. Wa number of international events These two 5-star hotels are a welcome addition under it’s belt, notably high-level forums such to the hospitality industry with many other as the Transform Africa Summit in May 2017, international brands set to open their doors in 2017. Afreximbak Annual General Assembly in Kigali International Airport (KIA)’s recently June 2017, Youth Connect Africa in July 2017, upgraded facility is a swift 15-minute drive from the the African Nations Championship in January city center, allowing for easy transport for delegates. 2016, World Economic Forum on Africa in The airport’s recent expansion programme has May 2016, 27th African Union Summit in July increased the passenger capacity to 1,500,000 2016, the Global African Investment Summit annually, accommodating approximately 400 in September 2016, Africa Hotel Investment weekly flights. The national carrier RwandAir, Forum in October 2016 ,the 28th Meeting of among the fastest growing airlines on the African the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in October continent, is at the center of this growth, providing 2016 and the 84th Interpol General Assembly connections to business hubs across the in November 2015. In delivering these world- continent, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. class events, Kigali has been ranked 3rd in Africa on the International Congress and Convention The nation’s flag carrier has expanded its fleet Association (ICCA) 2016 Africa rankings, which now boasts of twelve state of the art aircraft demonstrating a competent destination for including East Africa’s and RwandAir’s first Airbus hosting meetings, incentives, conferences, A330. The airline currently fly to 23 destinations events and exhibitions. and plan to acquire more aircraft and grow its Make Kigali your conference destination of network to 31 destinations by the end of 2018. choice; its beautifully appointed hotel rooms, meeting venues with capacities ranging KIA’s ease of access and solid infrastructure add to from 50 – 2,600, 4G Internet connection and the reasons that make Rwanda a strong contender seamless transport options will add value to for growth in the MICE sector, whilst simultaneously your meeting. opening trade linkages and facilitating investment. Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), positioned While doing business in Rwanda, delegates should on a hilltop in the heart of Kigali, is the latest take time to explore the Land of a Thousand Hills, addition to the city’s landscape and the premier which owes its name to endless undulating green conference venue in Rwanda. The translucent landscapes. Take advantage of our incredible dome, modeled on a traditional King’s Palace, offering of pre and post-event tours, a unique holds multi-functional halls with a maximum experience in which you will discover Rwanda’s capacity of 2,600. KCC was inaugurated by rich cultural life and remarkable wildlife. His Excellency President Paul Kagame in Venture through an array of natural wonders; July 2016 and is set to become one of the uncover Africa’s largest protected rain forest, most recognized modern structures in Africa. Volcanoes, and coffee and tea plantations. The new conference facility has significantly Rwanda’s three National Parks house one third boosted Rwanda’s conferencing capacity, of the world’s remaining endangered Mountain positioning the country as a growing contender Gorillas, 13 species of primates, one third of Africa’s in the MICE sector in East Africa. bird species and four of the big 5 game animals. A In tandem with Kigali Convention Centre, the tour of the islands and resorts on the majestic Lake adjoining 292 rooms Radisson Blu Hotel was Kivu will sweeten your sojourn. Rwanda Meeting Planners Guide 2018 5 Rwanda Convention Bureau wanda Convention Bureau (RCB) represents WHAT RCB CAN DO FOR YOU the best interests of Rwanda’s MICE industry RCB provides advice, guidance and support to Rstakeholders and offers free impartial advice, international event planners and buyers, incentive, guidance and support to international event planners association and convention organizers through every and buyers, incentive, association and convention stage of planning and implementation. organizers through every stage of planning. Take advantage of RCB’s local directory to connect you Established in 2014, RCB’s mission is to promote with the right venues, hotels, professional conference Rwanda as a premier destination that meets the needs organizers, destination marketing companies and all of your future meeting, incentive, conference or event the support services necessary. RCB will assist with: (MICE) activities in Rwanda. * Event bid preparation and presentation RCB delivers comprehensive services to help * Engaging with Government and Private Sector individuals and/or groups plan their events, from specialists in supporting the event international conventions to general assemblies, * Sourcing of suitable venues, accommodation conferences and incentive trips. and travel operators Central to RCB’s activities, it is a one-stop solution * Hosting / co-ordination of site inspection visits for information, assistance and unbiased advice on * Advice on marketing and sponsorship hosting and organizing MICE / business events in Rwanda. * Delegate boosting support * Advice on event budgets and particularly on the Rwanda Convention Bureau is a member of the Africa social component of the event chapter of the International Congress and Convention * Pre and post tours and incentive group travel Association (ICCA). * Provision of promotional material including guides, destination video and other collateral RwanDA CONVENTION Bureau KN 5 Rd, KG 9 Ave P.O. Box 3267 Kigali, Rwanda Phone: +250 785 699 961 Email: [email protected] 6 Rwanda Meeting Planners Guide 2018 UGANDA TANZANIA DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO Volcanoes Akagera National National Bank Park Rubavu Lake Kigali Kivu Nyungwe National Park BURUNDI Practical Information Time Zone: Central African Time (CAT) Size: 26,338 square kilometers Population: 11.78 million Capital City: Kigali Major Economic Sectors: Tourism, mining and agriculture Local Currency: Rwandan Franc Foreign Currencies: All major currencies are accepted Official Languages: Kinyarwanda, English, French and Kiswahili President: H.E. Paul KAGAME Telephone Country Code: +250 (Telecommunication is among the best in Africa) ICT: High speed 4G LTE wireless broadband Climate: Temperate all year round (24 – 27 degrees Celsius) making Rwanda an ideal destination year-round Health: Consult your doctor about Malaria and the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate prior to your visit Rwanda Meeting Planners Guide 2018 7 tailored to your requirements from one day, overnight Key Attractions or as long as your time will allow. Some of nature’s most wonderful treasures lie in IF YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW HOURS… Rwanda, waiting to be discovered. igali city center is a quick drive from all major Rwanda is a country rich in culture and tradition. We hotels allowing delegates to easily get around welcome delegates to delve deeply and become town to discover Rwanda’s major landmarks. K acquainted with the country and its heritage. The The city center has numerous shopping malls, Wi-Fi many memorial sites and museums preserved around cafes and various shops and boutiques where the Rwanda will provide you a window into the country’s latest local fashion and locally handmade souvenirs history, whereas, a number of Community Based can be purchased. Tourism experiences offer a chance to experience our rich cultural life. Be sure to include the Kigali Genocide Memorial as an official stop on your itinerary where you will familiarize yourself with Rwanda’s history and remarkable transformation journey. IF YOU HAVE 24 HOURS OR MORE… The ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ compact size is no secret and means minimized travel time that allows visitors to take in the verdant greens of the countryside while getting acquainted with many of the country’s natural and cultural attractions. Take advantage of our pre and post- tour offering and discover Remarkable Rwanda, one hill at a time, 8 Rwanda Meeting Planners Guide 2018 Rwanda’s Highlights * Home to 1/3 of the world’s remaining endangered mountain gorilla population in Volcanoes National Park * 4,507 meters to the top of the highest volcano, Mt. Karisimbi * 14 species of primates including the mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, golden monkey and many more * Home to the 1 and only canopy walkway in East Africa – some 70 meters above the Nyungwe Forest floor * 227 kms of breathtaking Congo Nile Trail * 4,000+ hectares of bamboo forest * 1,000+ hills * 700+ bird species and 7 Important Birding Areas * 151+ animal species Rwanda Meeting Planners Guide 2018 9 Ease of Access assenger Flights to Rwanda: RwandAir, Kenya www.rttarwanda.org Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Visas: EAC Nationals do not require a visa to Rwanda. KLM, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines P All African nationals can acquire a visa on arrival. Regional flights: 66 minutes from Nairobi, Kenya Online international visa applications are available to Kigali and 30 minutes flying time from Kampala, www.migration.gov.rw for a fee of US $30 Uganda to Kigali. EAC single tourist visa: Grants access to Rwanda, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) tourism website: Kenya and Uganda for three months at only US$100 www.rwandatourism.com (multiple entry). Main Airports & Airstrips: Kigali International Airport, Kigali is easy to move around, in fact most major Huye Airstrip, Kamembe Airport and Musanze Airstrip attractions, conference venues and hotels are under a 15-minute drive from the city center. Permits for Gorilla, Golden Monkey and Chimpanzee trekking are available through RDB Kigali city center is a 10-minute drive from Kigali Tourism & Conservation Reservation Office: Convention Centre and 15 minutes to the Kigali Telephone (+250) 252 57 65 14 International Airport.