​Editor,

The role of culture and heritage has been the subject of debate over the last two decades.  There is this new experience in tourism industry that demands the past to be packaged for public consumption. The commoditisation and marketing of the past and heritage as an experience to be consumed has been at the forefront of economic trends in the tourism industry, a trend towards culture consumption and strongly related to many tourism and leisure activities.

The emergence of cultural heritage tourism the world over is linked to a number of fundamental changes.

The potential of tourism growth in Rwanda is enormous. The country is endowed with good weather, extensive cultural and natural attractions, wildlife and a host of other opportunities.

Despite Rwanda being an emerging tourist destination, more attention has been placed on the development of wildlife tourism. Cultural attractions that stir movements of persons from their place of residence, bringing in experiences and factual information that satisfy their cultural needs have been neglected and yet these very attractions are critical for the development of tourism at local, regional and international level.

Promoting communal cultures and traditions as well as preserving our national heritage is paramount in protecting the various traditions from disappearing.

David Nkusi