Rwanda’s tourism revenue increased by 25% in 2021 – from US$131 million recorded in 2020 to US$164 million for 2021 – according to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

Statistics released earlier this week by the RDB show that the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions sector generated US$12.5 million in 2021 compared with US$5.4 million in 2020.

Total visitor arrivals increased by 2.8%, from 490 000 in 2020 to 512 000 in 2021, with sports events hosted last year significantly contributing to visitor arrivals and revenues.

Meanwhile, the RDB said it had recorded the highest investment registration in key sectors last year, including tourism, with US$3.7 billion in investment in 2021, up from US$1.3 billion in 2020.