Last Saturday, October 3, dozens of sportspeople drove from Kigali to the shores of Lake Muhazi in Gishari Sector, Rwamagana District of the Eastern Province, for an event that was much linked to tourism rather than sport itself.
The two-day event, whose worth was estimated at about Rwf200million, took place at Falcon Sports Park – formerly Falcon Golf & Country Club – where participants engaged in golf, kayaking, cycling among other sports. Food and drinks were also in plenty.
Globally, this is referred to as sports tourism, and it is believed that more of such would give a boost to the tourism sector, particularly domestic tourism, that was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic in the country and across the globe.
Falcon Sports Park was redeveloped and expanded into a multipurpose facility to not only accommodate golf, but also other domestic tourism activities such as adventure tourism, water based tourism and community tourism.
According a research conducted by Horwath HTL, an international tourism consulting company, it will take at least three years for the tourism sector to recover from the Covid-19 effects.
Horwath HTL, which has offices in 50 countries, works with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to develop new tourism products.
Frank Mustaff, the company’s Managing Director, says that it is ‘imperative’ that African countries start developing domestic tourism and offer a wide variety of alternatives.
Frank Mustaff, the Managing Director of Horwath HTL, speaks during the event.
"We have started some initiatives, together with other stakeholders like RDB, to develop tourism attractions all over the country. Rwanda has a variety of options, particularly in adventure tourism such as rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, and water sports. So we are developing activities starting here along Lake Muhazi,” he said at the event.
The Horwath HTL/Hanga Ahazaza consultants worked with the Falcon Golf & Country Club in developing the facility into a touristic destination, which is expected to lead to diversification of tourism products that, in turn, will result into more guests and revenues.
Local suppliers and service providers will benefit from the tourism value chain. About 60 direct and indirect jobs will also be created.
Omar Habineza, in charge of domestic and regional tourism promotion at Rwanda Development Board, told this publication that the coronavirus crisis has made RDB put even more efforts and emphasis on the promotion of domestic tourism.
As for sports tourism, Habineza said; "It is still low but it is picking up.”
"People might not necessarily understand that they are engaging in sports tourism, but leaving your home, maybe leaving Kigali and going to Kibuye and do a little climbing, that is sports and it is tourism.
Leaving Kigali for Musanze to do cycling with Team Rwanda, or at Africa Rising Cycling Centre, and you ride for 10 to 20 kilometres, you are doing sports tourism,” he explained.
Habineza also noted that there are many cycling academies, including one in the Eastern Province, that are also providing different packages for people who want to engage in cycling tourism. He emphasised that, while enjoying the ride, participants also get healthier.
In any case, Habineza warned that Covid-19 is still around and people should stay cautious: "We still want to have fun, but in proper ways because Covid-19 is now part of us and we do not know how long it is going to be here. We have to keep safe.”
Events like this at Falcon Sports Park, Habineza says, provide room for businesses to advertise. Over 20 brands showcased their products, and also present were young entrepreneurs.
Sandrine Umwizerwa, from Beautiful Rwanda Tours, teaching how to operate kayaks, noted that more locals are getting interested in the sport.
Sandrine Umwizerwa, representing Beautiful Rwanda Tours, showcased what her company does at the event.
"It is a fun sport, whether you know how to swim or not,” she said.
Umwizerwa, who believed that life in tourism sector will get back to normal when more locals engage in it, said: "Every time we see new people coming and others coming back. Though international tourists are not here yet, I have seen that more Rwandans are going out of Kigali to places like this.”
Eastern Province Governor, Fred Mufulukye, told Week sport that before Covid-19, Eastern Province had started promoting domestic tourism by encouraging locals to visit the attractions in their home province. The central government has also established a tourism master plan.
Fred Mufulukye, Governor of the Eastern Province, speaks at the event to launch Falcon Sports Park on Saturday, October 3.
Now that the Falcon Sports Park event attracted an encouraging number "shows that people are very willing to visit and enjoy tourism in their communities.”
"Combining what we did at the time and what we saw today, we get the message that Rwandan people have the desire to move to different destinations in their country, to learn more and enjoy the natural, historical and cultural sites,” he further explained.
In Eastern Province, there is a growing number of sports facilities including three new football stadiums in the districts of Nyagatare, Ngoma and Bugesera.