Rwanda’s tourism sector generates $647 million in 2024

In 2024, Rwanda’s tourism revenue grew by 4.3% to$647 million, driven by a 27% increase in gorilla tourism income and an 11% rise in air travel, according to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Annual Report. The report highlights that Rwanda hosted several major events in 2024, including the Africa Food Systems Forum, Africa CEO Forum, ICANN 80 Meeting, the 3rd IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon, FIA General Assemblies & Prize Giving, and the Basketball Africa League. Through the Tourism Revenue Sharing Program, RDB funded 105 community projects, investing over RWF 3.27 billion in sectors such as agricu

In 2024, Rwanda’s tourism revenue grew by 4.3% to$647 million, driven by a 27% increase in gorilla tourism income and an 11% rise in air travel, according to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Annual Report. The report highlights that Rwanda hosted several major events in 2024, including the Africa Food Systems Forum, Africa CEO Forum, ICANN 80 Meeting, the 3rd IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon, FIA General Assemblies & Prize Giving, and the Basketball Africa League. Through the Tourism Revenue Sharing Program, RDB funded 105 community projects, investing over RWF 3.27 billion in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and equipment. The country welcomed more than 1.36 million visitors in 2024. Gorilla tourism led the growth, with revenue increasing by 27% to exceed USD 200 million. Emerging tourism segments, such as educational travel and visits to friends and relatives (VFR), also expanded by 16% and 5% respectively. Additionally, RwandAir’s non-resident ticket sales rose by 11%, reflecting growing international interest. By origin of visitors, the East African Community (EAC) remained the largest source market, contributing over 1.09 million travelers. Significant visitor numbers also came from Europe (83,076), North America (52,805), and Asia (36,256), underscoring Rwanda’s rising profile as a global destination. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s Tourism Sector generates $620 million in 2023 Rwanda’s national parks saw a 10.7% increase in visitors and an 8.5% rise in revenue, reaching 138,000 visitors and generating USD 38.8 million. Nyungwe National Park recorded the highest growth with a 20% increase in visitors, followed by Volcanoes and Akagera National Parks. Domestic tourism also played an important role, with 54,800 local visits and consistent park revenue totaling USD 793,000. RDB Chairman Itzhak Fisher described the coming years as “an exciting chapter of transformation,” adding, “Strategic collaboration and bold ambition will drive Rwanda toward even greater economic success.” In 2025, RDB aims to exceed USD 700 million in tourism revenue.