RDB CAMPAIGN
The RDB campaign is targeting service providers. Hot on the heels of growing, demands by the private sector stakeholders that Rwanda needs more training for staff working in the hospitality industry the RDB and Conservation responded with a dedicated campaign launched in Kigali, promoting quality services at all levels. Clare Akamanzi, COO of the Rwanda Development Board was on stage with Rica Rwigamba, Head of Tourism and Conservation, at the launch of the initiative called “Na Yombi” locally translated into English to receive clients with “courtesy”.
KIGALI RDB
Rwanda Development Board has been at the forefront to support and facilitate more training in the tourism industry. It is not just for hotel personnel but also for guides, the board has also acknowledged that capacity constraints must be overcome and more training opportunities be made available for more newcomers to the sector as well as for those already in the workplace. Towards that end Rwanda Development Board is working hand in hand with the private sector, the Workplace Development Authority and the Ministry of Labour to adequately address the growing need for qualified and well trained staff deployed in positions where they encounter local and foreign customers. It was foreseen that better service levels transform into better yields for the sector in the near future.
The country has plenty of top rate attractions and while we develop more under diversification plans we also have to train competent and well spoken staff. Then we can fully exploit the earning potential from tourism because foreign visitors expect good services and are ready to pay for them a leading stakeholder said on condition of anonymity. We work with the private sector associations on all issues which can improve performance. We encouraged the private sector to get organized, speak through an association because it makes dialogue easier. In fact we meet with many of them several times a month when needed to resolve matters arising before they become problems.
Ms. Rwigamba also stressed the boards commitment to support training and use monitoring mechanisms to establish, maintain and improve quality standards in Kigali and upcountry at the key tourism destinations of Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park but also along the birding trails outside the parks and along the Congo Nile Trail which was launched in December last year. If all goes well, all the clients who will be coming in for activities such as Gorilla trekking, Wildlife viewing, primate tracking, birding among others will experience remarkable tours which they will live to tell. All eyes on Rwanda now.