Rwanda’s record tourism numbers illuminate the tension between economic gains and conservation imperatives
By Olivier Mucyo
KIGALI, Rwanda — Rwanda’s tourism sector has in recent times delivered strong performance, cementing its role as a pillar of economic strategy even as questions mount about the durability of the natural assets that underpin its success. New figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council show the industry contributed a record-breaking Rwandan franc (Fr) 1.9 trillion to the national economy in 2024, equivalent to 9.8 percent of GDP and 17.7 percent above the previous peak in 2019. The sector also supported nearly 386,000 jobs and saw international visitor spending reach Fr1 trillion, an increase of Fr169 billion over 2019. Domestic spending climbed 32.2 percent above pre-pandemic levels to more than Fr773 billion.
“Rwanda is a standout example of how tourism, when supported by clear vision and partnership, can deliver real economic impact and long-term opportunity,” says Julia Simpson, president and chief executive of WTTC, the global tourism body. “The President’s focus on sustainability, innovation and diversification is setting a benchmark not only for Africa, but globally.”
Nature-based tourism, activities tied to Rwanda’s forests, wildlife and parks, accounts for the vast majority of leisure demand. A World Bank analysis estimates that roughly 80 percent of visitors to Rwanda engage in nature-based tourism, and that for every $1 million invested in such activities an estimated 1,328 jobs are created.
Rwanda Development Board (RDB) data confirms that the country welcomed more than 1.36 million visitors in 2024, generating $647 million in tourism revenue with gorilla tourism alone contributing about $200 million, a 27 percent increase on the previous year.
Jean-Guy Afrika, RDB’s chief executive officer, says the board intends to build on this momentum: “We aim to generate tourism revenues exceeding USD 700 million by showcasing Rwanda as a leading global destination for leisure, wildlife conservation, and international events.”
The success of high-value, low-volume attractions such as gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and eco-tourism lodges around Nyungwe and Akagera exemplifies Kigali’s strategic positioning. It also reflects decades of deliberate investment in hospitality infrastructure, marketing and conservation-linked tourism. Rwanda is aiming to reach more than $1 billion in annual tourism revenue by 2029 under its second National Strategy for Transformation. Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva told Parliament that projects which “protect the environment and biodiversity will be supported” as part of this effort.
Yet the reliance on natural assets brings vulnerabilities. Conservation scientists note that even well-managed parks face pressures from broader environmental change. Forests sequester carbon and regulate water flows, while intact ecosystems help mitigate climate risks. But population density in areas surrounding parks and ongoing land use pressures complicate protective measures. A 2023 World Bank economic update stressed that constraints on gorilla trekking and other flagship activities, degradation of natural assets, disease risks and climate impacts could hamper future growth if not addressed.
Rwanda has sought to integrate local communities into conservation and tourism revenue streams. Under national park revenue-sharing schemes, a portion of park fees is directed to neighbouring villages for education, healthcare and infrastructure. Officials in districts adjacent to Akagera National Park reported allocations totalling Rwf1.286 billion for 2025–26, aimed at fostering community support for conservation.
On the supply side, operators are responding with sustainability innovations. At Virunga Harmony Lodge in Musanze, manager Etienne Kayitare said the property sources 80 percent of its food from local farms, treats wastewater on-site, bans single-use plastics and limits guest numbers. “Our focus is providing authentic luxury with strong environmental integrity,” he said. Jean de la Croix Nyandwi, programme officer at the Rwanda Environment Management Authority, described such lodges as “exemplary models for sustainable development,” emphasising conservation and community benefit as twin goals.
Despite these efforts, critics warn that growth must not overwhelm Rwanda’s ecological capital. Jeanne D’Arc Mujawamariya, Minister of Environment, has cautioned that tourism expansion should not “negatively impact the natural resources and animals’ habitat” and that communities must remain central to conservation efforts.
The challenge for Rwanda is to sustain expansion while retaining the integrity of its ecosystems. In the absence of coastal mangroves and seascapes that define small island states’ climate risk narratives, Rwanda’s hills and montane forests perform similar protective roles. How the country balances hotel construction, conference tourism and visitor numbers with long-term ecosystem health may determine whether its tourism boom remains resilient or begins to erode the foundations upon which it has been built.
