Towards the development of Burundi tourist sites

Three tourist sites (Livingstone- Stanley Rock, the Kibira National Park and the Gishora sacred drums) have caught the attention of Trade Mark East Africa Burundi in the project « Supporting the Burundi Tourism Sector”. A budget of 742,700 USD is allocated to the development of the three sites and supporting the activities of the stakeholders in tourism including the Chamber of Hotels and Tourism in Burundi, the National Tourism Commission as well as the Burundi National Tourism Office.

The project launch ceremonies took place at the Livingstone-Stanley Rock, the historical site involved in the project, on Friday 23th of January 2015.

The participants started by planting tree seedlings around the site, a sign of protecting it and all the environment.

The Minister of Trade, Industry, Posts and Tourism, Marie Rose Nizigiyimana, present in the ceremonies, said the project is in accordance with the Burundi Government’s determination to make the tourism sector a gear for the economic growth. She also added that the local population will benefit from the project such as jobs creation. Another advantage is that tourists who will visit the site will buy their arts products and other souvenir objects.

In his presentation of the project, the Director of Burundi National Tourism Office, Léonidas Habonimana, has announced the project short term results. He talked about enhancement of the public and private sectors to identify and promote tourism policies and improvement of competitiveness, marketing and sustainability of Burundi touristic products. He pointed out the urgent issues to be addressed before others such as removing of tariff barriers, reduction of the cost of visa which limits the movement of service and labor from the region to Burundi and other immigration documents facilitating the traveling to Burundi.

On behalf the Chamber of Hotels and tourism in Burundi which represented the private sector, Elie Barikubwayo, the executive secretary, thanked Trade Mark East Africa for the project and said it is the sign of a firm commitment to promote the tourism sector in Burundi. He also expressed his satisfaction for the collaboration of the public and private sectors through the public and private partnership.

Starting her remarks by reminding the song of the Burundian artist Steven Sogo« Il est beau mon pays Burundi ‘My Country Burundi is beautiful’» to point out the beauty of Burundi, the Country Director of Trade Mark East Africa Burundi, Anthes Vrijlandt, promised to make every effort to mobilize the needed resources to develop the Livingstone-Stanley Rock and other sites. She also said that Trade Mark East Africa Burundi will facilitate competitiveness in exportation of Burundi touristic products in the region. Anthes did not forget to ask the burundian authorities to address the issue of getting Burundi visa.

The question of visa has been answered by the Minister Nizigiyimana who said that the draft prepared in collaboration with the minister in charge of immigration is ready to be submitted to the cabinet.

The festivities ended up with the signing of the financing accord between the Minister of Trade, Industry, Posts and Tourism, Trade Mark East Africa and the Chamber of Hotels and Tourism of Burundi.