Spending associated with gorilla tourism accounted for an estimated $45.7 million (about Rwf67.2 billion) of Rwanda’s travel expenditure in the second quarter of 2026, covering May to July, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR). ALSO READ: PHOTOS: How gorilla tourism is reshaping Musanze’s economy, communities The amount represents 79.4 per cent of the $57.6 million spent by non-resident visitors arriving by air for holiday travel during the quarter, NISR said in its Travel Expenditure Survey report published on Wednesday, September 15. The expenditure measured by the survey covers money spent by non-resident visitors on goods and services acquired in Rwanda. These include accommodation, food and beverages, entertainment, sightseeing, souvenirs and gifts, transportation within the country and other expenses. International transportation costs are not included. Rwanda recorded $161.8 million in travel-service exports during the quarter. Of this, non-resident visitors arriving by air accounted for $135.4 million, while those arriving by land accounted for $26.4 million. The survey recorded 6,023 non-resident travellers arriving by air under the gorilla category during the quarter. ALSO READ: Promotional rates for gorilla trekking extended By purpose, holiday travel generated $59.7 million in travel-service exports, followed by visits to friends and relatives at $45.5 million and business travel at $40.2 million. Education, health and transit accounted for the remainder. Among visitors arriving by air, holiday travel accounted for $57.6 million, while visits to friends and relatives generated $37.3 million and business travel $33.1 million. ALSO READ: Visitors to Rwanda spent nearly $600m on travel services in 2024 North America was the largest source of travel expenditure by air visitors, accounting for $40.2 million. It was followed by Europe at $27.7 million and the rest of Africa at $27.1 million. Visitors from the East African Community (EAC) accounted for $22.2 million, while Asia contributed $11.7 million. NISR conducts the Travel Expenditure Survey twice a year in partnership with National Bank of Rwanda, Rwanda Development Board and Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration.
