By Gashegu Muramira

BERLIN - Rwanda, yesterday, made history by being the first country to win — four times in a row — the Best African Exhibitor Award at the annual International Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin (ITB Berlin).

It has maintained the winning position at the world’s largest tourism fair since 2007.

Rwanda’s Ambassador to Germany, Christine Nkulikiyinka, welcomed the announcement that Rwanda had once again topped the line-up in the exhibition that attracted thousands of participants drawn from all over the world.

“This means a great deal for us to win this award again, because we are the only country that has won it this many consecutively,” Nkulikiyinka told The Sunday Times yesterday.

The Ambassador attributed Rwanda’s success to several unique products that were exhibited at the fair which included; originality of the country’s stand, exhibition of customer hospitality and Rwanda’s exceptional cultural dance.

At the fair, Rwanda also exhibited many of its unique tourism products which include; the Canopy walk in Nyungwe National forest, “Kwita Izina “ (Gorrilla naming ceremony), Umunezero boat rides on Lake Kivu and the interpretation centre in Nyungwe forest which gives tourists a whole mapping of the park.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), John Gara, described the development as yet another testimony to the immense potential of Rwanda’s tourism industry.

“Winning this award will definitely boost travellers’ confidence in coming to Rwanda. Other areas of diversification that we are looking at include; conference tourism, birding, and cultural tourism,” he said.

Among the 50 participating countries, Morocco took second spot followed by Namibia.

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