H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda to the Netherlands.
For the 9th time Rwanda showcased its unique attractions at the Vakantiebeurs tourism exhibition, the largest tourism exhibition in the Benelux that took place from 9 to 14th of January in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
The exhibition kicked of with a trade day for the Dutch travel industry professionals and travel media.
Rwanda was among the 160 countries that participated at the Vakantiebeurs, which attracted more than 100,000 visitors. This years’ edition of Remarkable Rwanda at the Vakantiebeurs was all about getting inspired. First, by getting in touch with the local specialists from Rwanda and hearing the stories and experiences from first hand. The Rwanda Development Board, the Embassy of Rwanda in The Hague, RwandAir, Amahoro Tours, Wildlife Tours Rwanda and
Mercator Assistance were represented at the Rwanda stand during the six-day event.
Then, cultural inspiration came while enjoying a traditional dance performance by the Rwanda dance group, followed by a culinary experience served by the barista on the Rwanda stand, serving specialty coffee and tea from the land of thousand hills.
All visitors enjoyed live presentations by the co exhibitors and inspirational video presentations in the RwandaFul Lounge. Included in the program were the brand new TV episodes of the most famous biologist in the Netherlands, Freek Vonk. In the Summer 2017 his dream came true while discovering Rwanda. In total, 4 TV episodes about Freek
Vonk in Rwanda have been broadcasted in November. With his enthusiasm, Freek gave a wonderful impression about nature and wildlife in Rwanda and it’s expected that this will attract crowds to the Rwanda stand.
RwandAir, Rwanda’s national carrier, operates three weekly direct flights
from/to Brussels on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
On behalf of the Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda’s Ambassador to
the Netherlands, H.E. Jean Pierre Karabaranga, invited the Dutch tourism
professionals and travel media to the RwandaFul Coffee Break.
The trade&media day on 9 January at Vakantiebeurs was an opportunity to
meet with new Dutch tour operators that have great interest to include
Rwanda (both leisure and MICE) in their brochures and on their websites.
Furthermore, it was an opportunity to promote the news that, effective 1
January 2018, Rwanda grants visitors a 30-day visa upon arrival without
prior application. During the trade day Ambassador Karabaranga invited Mayor Van Zanen
of Utrecht to the Rwanda stand to discover the tourism opportunities in
the land of a thousand hills.
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Co-exhibitors at the Rwanda stand
RwandAir – Mrs Pulchérie Nyinawase, Sales executive RwandAir –
Brussels
Amahoro Tours – Mr Gregory Bakunzi, Owner
Wildlife Tours Rwanda – Mr Davidson Mugisha, Owner
Mercator Assistance – Mr Vedaste Kayiranga, Owner
Events & activities at the Rwanda stand
Networking: RwandaFul Coffee Break for trade & media on Tuesday 9
January – 12pm at the Rwanda stand
Culture promotion: Rwanda dance performances right in front of the
Rwanda stand.
Coffee/Tea promotion: Barista (Mr Paul van Weert / Brewanda) with
daily free Rwanda specialty coffee & tea tasting
Story telling promotion: a varied program of presentations in the
RwandaFul lounge at the stand. Live presentations by the coexhibitors,
African Parks, Embassy of Rwanda in The Hague and Bird
specialist Mr Karel Werdler from the Inholland Tourism University in
Amsterdam.
