The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) announced that Rwanda collected $142.5 million in tourism revenues and registered 664,729 visitors in the first semester of 2013.

This signified an increase of 11percent and 14 percent respectively compared to the same period last year.

According to RDB, travel to the Volcanoes National Park in Northern Rwanda and gorilla tracking continues to be safe despite incidents further in Rubavu area related to the on-going conflict in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, which have been contained.

Rica Rwigamba, Head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB said:

“The increase in tourism revenues and visitor numbers are important in driving economic growth and generating prosperity for all Rwandans. We are working to ensure visitors to Rwanda get value for money and unparalleled tourism experiences,” she said.

“In addition, visitor safety and security in Rwanda’s parks and other tourist destinations continue to be a priority.”

Rwigamba also pointed out that investments in the sector have been boosted by the entry of Park Inn by Radisson and Protea Hotels, who have both signed agreements with developers to run their establishments and are set to be operational by early 2014.

Tourism is Rwanda’s largest foreign exchange earner with $282 million earned in 2012.