Editorial: Rwandans should leverage growing hospitality sector

Global hotel franchise Hilton Hotel this week announced its entry into the Rwandan market after taking over the Ubumwe Grande Hotel in a move that constitutes yet another vote of confidence in the country’s governance and aspirations. The global hotel chain said it will undertake changes to the existing facility before rebranding and operating it under its DoubleTree by Hilton brand. The arrival in Rwanda of yet another major player in the global hospitality space – following the likes of Rezidor Hotel Group, Marriot Group, Golden Tulip, Park Inn, Zinc, among others – is testament to the fast-rising profile of the country’s hospitality sector and its steady emergence as a major destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events and Exhibitions (MICE). Twenty-three years after Rwanda was brought to its knees by a genocide rated the fastest in recorded history, the Government and the people of Rwanda have worked so hard to turn around the country’s fortunes. Today, Rwanda is not only one of the safest countries in the world, but it’s also one of the top two most investor friendly African countries. Hilton has arrived at an exciting moment. Thanks to an ambitious strategy to turn Rwanda into a knowledge-based, services-led economy, the Government is making significant gains in delivering a digitized economy that will further ease doing business and improve the quality of life of citizens and other residents. Now, with the country firmly on the path toward achieving its target of becoming a regional services hub and gateway to the rest of the region, ordinary Rwandans need to make the most of every step that the country takes forward on its transformative journey. The presence of globally renowned hotel brands in Rwanda unlocks new opportunities for Rwandan businesses and individual citizens. These facilities will need a wide range of supplies and services. From the farmer to the small-scale trader, there is an opportunity for everyone to benefit from this growing sector. But to succeed as a supplier or service provider in this sector, you must pay utmost attention to a few things. They include quality, volumes, consistency, and top-notch customer service. Individual suppliers or businesses can also join hands to boost their capacity and benefit from economies of scale. Training institutions should also wake up and smell the coffee and direct efforts where there is more demand. Hospitality courses are in high demand. But they must deliver quality training to empower their students with the specific skills that are needed in the market. Training institutions need to continuously tailor-make their courses to the demand of the labour market.

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Editorial: Rwandans should leverage growing hospitality sector