Editor, Re: “Lions: Domestic tourism surge at Akagera Park” (The New Times, December 4). It is very satisfying to read that Jes Gruner, the Manager of Akagera National Park, announced to local leaders in Kayonza that there has been a 37 per cent increase in domestic tourism since July 2015, which is when the lions, one of the famous Big-Five, were re-introduced into the park. What was also noteworthy is the fact that, from an initial amount of Rwf56 million, the amount given back to the sectors surrounding the park has in fact doubled and, today, as reported by this newspaper, Rwanda Development Board gives back as much as Rwf112 million – being 5 per cent of the park fees. This is a glowing example of community development and will definitely go a long way in creating a sense of responsibility and ownership among the local community. While the lions have helped in causing a surge in domestic tourism, an international travel convention would simultaneously give a big boost to MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) tourism. With this in mind, the President of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) will be leading a high-level delegation consisting of the 12-member Managing Committee to Kigali to explore the possibility of holding their next convention, TAFI 2016, in the country. The TAFI Durban Convention attracted as many as 1,200 international delegates who were accommodated in 700 rooms for five to six nights. With the combined pooling in of resources, among all the stakeholders of Rwanda’s tourism sector, Kigali could well surpass the current record number of delegates. We wish the TAFI Managing Committee a very successful and enriching experience here and look forward to hosting TAFI 2016 in this beautiful land of a thousand hills and a million smiles! Clarence Fernandes
