MICE ON THE MOVE
MICE tourism is a perfect way of combining business with pleasure . MICE tourism presents unique opportunities for business development , be it an informal conversation with old partners and meetings with prospective investors , customers , and suppliers , information exchange or introduction to new technologies . The Meetings , Incentives , Conferences , and Events ( MICE ) industry is extensively and rapidly growing and is largely associated with travel for a business purpose .
Rwanda is shaping up as one of East Africa ’ s premier business tourism destinations , following efforts by the government and its partners to help strengthen and grow the private sector in the MICE market .
According to Rwanda Development Board ( RDB ), in 2017 , Rwanda hosted 169 international meetings which brought tens of thousands of customers to its hotels , restaurants and national airline and $ 40 mn was injected into the economy .
The RDB introduced the Rwanda MICE Strategy 2014 in a move that was intended to reinforce the tourism industry . From that time to date , the country has hosted thousands of regional and international guests , many among them going ahead to visit several tourism destinations across the country — consequently leaving behind a significant share of their finances into the national GDP .
While leisure tourism remains a vital part of the national tourism strategy , business tourists have been shown to spend up to three times more than leisure visitors , RDB says .
Besides conference tourism , the reintroduction of big five game and crested cranes in Akagera National Park is an achievement . In May 2017 , RDB reintroduced 10 Eastern rhinos from South Africa after 10 years of non-existence shortly after the lions . The re-introduction of lions and rhinos in Akagera National Park has made Rwanda a home for the Big Five game ,
32 • RWANDA • 2018