Heritier Bahizi<\/b><\/p>\n
Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Rwanda Chamber of Tourism (RCOT), on Tuesday, October 31 inked a deal with the Confederation of Tourism of Madagascar (CTM) to partner in tourism development and promotion through mutual growth, sharing knowledge, and collaborative innovation.<\/p>\n RCOT is the apex body for all private sector tourism establishments in Rwanda, while the CTM is a Madagascan private initiative whose main mandate is to bring together the professions and tourism institutions in the island nation.<\/p>\n In the deal, the two entities outlined a framework, highlighting the key areas of cooperation, including capacity-building, joint promotional activities, and the development of niche tourism markets.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are embarking on a journey of transformation, leveraging the strengths of our respective tourism sectors to create a robust platform for sustainable growth,\u201d said Frank Gisha Mugisha, RCOT\u2019s Managing Director.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are looking at opening borders to ensure that tourism really flourishes in the country but also in the region and over the continent. Madagascar has a lot to offer; there is a lot we can learn from them and there is a lot they can learn from us,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Frank Gisha Mugisha, Rwanda Chamber of Tourism Managing Director and Tojosoa Razafimahalefa, CTM\u2019s Vice Chairman sign the agreement in Kigali on October 31.<\/p>\n He pointed out the role of tourism in Africa, noting for example that with the right investment, the sector can fast-track the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).<\/p>\n \u201cAs the chamber of tourism, we have already started this by organising what we call the Rwanda Tourism Week which brings together continental actors to discuss matters pertaining to how we can trade together, how air transport can be improved across the continent, but also looking at changing the narrative as Africans,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n Tojosoa Razafimahalefa, CTM\u2019s Vice Chairman, said the deal shows the two institutions\u2019 shared vision for a flourishing tourism sector.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are poised to drive innovation, build capacity, and create a ripple effect of economic benefits for both Rwanda and Madagascar,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Among the things that the Madagascan tourism sector wants to learn from Rwanda is the country\u2019s strategy for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE).<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you do tourism, you cannot do it yourself. You always need cooperation and collaboration, there are always good practices and lessons to learn from others, and for us, Rwanda is a key country for that. It is a good example in terms of leadership, vision, and mind-set,\u201d Razafimahalefa noted.<\/p>\n Frank Gisha Mugisha, Rwanda Chamber of Tourism Managing Director speaks at the signing of the agreement in Kigali on October 31.<\/p>\n Rwanda Chamber of Tourism (RCOT), on Tuesday, October 31 inked a deal with the Confederation of Tourism of Madagascar (CTM) to partner in tourism development and promotion through mutual growth.<\/p>\n Rwanda Chamber of Tourism (RCOT), inked a deal with the Confederation of Tourism of Madagascar (CTM) on Tuesday, October 31.<\/p>\n Both delegations pose for a group photo after signing the agreement. PHOTOS BY DAN GATSINZI<\/p>\n\r\n