Rwanda's Travel & Tourism Sector Broke all Records in 2024, reveals WTTC
London, UK - Rwanda's Travel & Tourism sector broke all records in 2024, with its contribution to the economy, employment and domestic and international visitor spend all reaching record levels.
In 2024, Rwanda's Travel & Tourism sector contributed a record breaking Fr1.9TN to the economy, representing 9.8% of the total economy and 17.7% above the previous peak in 2019.
Despite lagging in 2023, job numbers and international visitor spend both reached record levels last year.
According to the research from the global tourism body, Travel & Tourism supported just under 386,000 jobs last year, whilst international visitors spent a record Fr1TN – representing an increase of Fr169BN on 2019.
Domestic spending was above pre-pandemic levels by almost one third (32.2%) to reach more than Fr773BN.
This growth reflects the Rwandan government's strategic investment in tourism as a pillar of economic diversification. Infrastructure projects such as the new Bugesera International Airport, which when completed will be able to handle 14 million passengers a year, will further boost long-term connectivity, international visitor numbers and spending.
A look at 2025
In 2025, Travel & Tourism in Rwanda is poised for another year of robust growth, with WTTC forecasting a 13% year on year increase in economic contribution to reach Fr2.1TN – 10.3% of national GDP.
The sector is set to support more than 402,000 jobs, accounting for over 8% of total employment.
Growth is expected to be driven by both international and domestic spending worth Fr1.2TN and Fr822BN respectively.
Rwanda continues to champion a high-value, low-volume tourism model that prioritises sustainability, conservation, and community benefit, particularly through flagship experiences like gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and eco-tourism expansion across Akagera and Nyungwe.
Rwanda is a standout example of how tourism, when supported by clear vision and partnership, can deliver real economic impact and long-term opportunity. The President's focus on sustainability, innovation, and diversification is setting a benchmark not only for Africa, but globally. From gorilla trekking to high-level business events and major sporting competitions, Rwanda is showing what's possible when a country invests in its tourism future. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO
Looking to 2035
WTTC forecasts that by 2035, the sector will contribute Fr3.1TN to the economy, a 10% share of GDP, and support more than 545,000 jobs across the country. Over 140,000 new jobs are expected to be created in the next decade.
For more information and to access the full factsheet, please visit WTTC's Research Hub.
About WTTC
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.
WTTC Press Office
WTTC
View source
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hospitality Net
11 hours ago
- Hospitality Net
Philippines' Travel & Tourism Sector Set to Inject a Record PHP 5.9TN to the Economy in 2025
London, UK - The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that the Philippines' Travel & Tourism sector is on course to build on its record-breaking performance from last year, with new forecasts pointing to even greater heights in 2025. According to WTTC's 2025 Economic Impact Research (EIR) forecast, the sector will contribute a PHP 5.9 trillion to the economy this year – 13.5% above 2019 and a new all-time high. This new record would represent more than one fifth (21%) of national GDP, cementing Travel & Tourism's place as a backbone of the Philippine economy. Employment in the sector is also set to continue to reach record levels, with 11.7 million livelihoods expected to be supported by Travel & Tourism in 2025, accounting for almost a quarter (23.8%) of all national employment. International visitor spending is also on the rise, projected to reach PHP 709.2 billion – up 2.1% on the previous high in 2019, while domestic visitor spending is anticipated to reach PHP 4.1 trillion – a 9.3% increase over its previous peak. 2024 in Review Last year marked the beginning of a significant resurgence for Travel & Tourism in the Philippines. The sector contributed PHP 5.3 trillion to the national economy and supported 11.2 million jobs. Domestic spending surged to PHP 3.6 trillion, and international spending grew to PHP 644.8 billion, edging towards a complete recovery and laying the groundwork for the record-breaking figures now projected in 2025. The Philippines is a standout example of how Travel & Tourism, when supported by a clear, long-term vision, can deliver real economic impact and long-term opportunity. This success speaks to the country's extraordinary appeal, its policy focus on tourism as a growth engine, and the energy of its people and private sector. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO Looking to 2035 The global tourism body is expecting Travel & Tourism's contribution to the economy to reach PHP 9.2 trillion by 2035, representing 19.8% of the economy. Over the next decade, 2.5 million new jobs are expected to be created, bringing total sector employment to 14.1 million. As the country continues to strengthen air connectivity, invest in infrastructure, and prioritise destination resilience, Travel & Tourism is positioned not just to grow, but to transform the national economy. WTTC calls on policymakers to continue fostering this trajectory with clear regulation, long-term investment in workforce development, and sustained global promotion of the Philippines as a world-class destination. For more information and to access the full factsheet, including WTTC's latest Environmental Social Research (ESR), please visit WTTC's Research Hub. Editors Notes All figures given in PHP About WTTC The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector. WTTC Press Office WTTC View source
Hospitality Net
2 days ago
- Hospitality Net
Rwanda's Travel & Tourism Sector Broke all Records in 2024, reveals WTTC
London, UK - Rwanda's Travel & Tourism sector broke all records in 2024, with its contribution to the economy, employment and domestic and international visitor spend all reaching record levels. In 2024, Rwanda's Travel & Tourism sector contributed a record breaking Fr1.9TN to the economy, representing 9.8% of the total economy and 17.7% above the previous peak in 2019. Despite lagging in 2023, job numbers and international visitor spend both reached record levels last year. According to the research from the global tourism body, Travel & Tourism supported just under 386,000 jobs last year, whilst international visitors spent a record Fr1TN – representing an increase of Fr169BN on 2019. Domestic spending was above pre-pandemic levels by almost one third (32.2%) to reach more than Fr773BN. This growth reflects the Rwandan government's strategic investment in tourism as a pillar of economic diversification. Infrastructure projects such as the new Bugesera International Airport, which when completed will be able to handle 14 million passengers a year, will further boost long-term connectivity, international visitor numbers and spending. A look at 2025 In 2025, Travel & Tourism in Rwanda is poised for another year of robust growth, with WTTC forecasting a 13% year on year increase in economic contribution to reach Fr2.1TN – 10.3% of national GDP. The sector is set to support more than 402,000 jobs, accounting for over 8% of total employment. Growth is expected to be driven by both international and domestic spending worth Fr1.2TN and Fr822BN respectively. Rwanda continues to champion a high-value, low-volume tourism model that prioritises sustainability, conservation, and community benefit, particularly through flagship experiences like gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and eco-tourism expansion across Akagera and Nyungwe. Rwanda is a standout example of how tourism, when supported by clear vision and partnership, can deliver real economic impact and long-term opportunity. The President's focus on sustainability, innovation, and diversification is setting a benchmark not only for Africa, but globally. From gorilla trekking to high-level business events and major sporting competitions, Rwanda is showing what's possible when a country invests in its tourism future. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO Looking to 2035 WTTC forecasts that by 2035, the sector will contribute Fr3.1TN to the economy, a 10% share of GDP, and support more than 545,000 jobs across the country. Over 140,000 new jobs are expected to be created in the next decade. For more information and to access the full factsheet, please visit WTTC's Research Hub. About WTTC The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector. WTTC Press Office WTTC View source
Hospitality Net
2 days ago
- Hospitality Net
Azerbaijan's Travel & Tourism Sector Set for Strong Growth in 2025
London, UK - Azerbaijan's Travel & Tourism sector is set for a year of significant growth in 2025, with new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), forecasting a contribution of ₼10.3BN to the national economy – a 32% year-on-year rise, representing 8.2% of total GDP. This year, the sector is also expected to support 472,000 jobs, representing nearly 10% of total national employment. International visitor spending in 2025 is projected to reach ₼5.5BN, marking a full post-pandemic recovery, while domestic visitor spending is forecast to reach a record new milestone, at ₼3.8BN, up from ₼3.8BN in 2009. The sharp growth in both domestic and international visitor spending signals renewed strength in the country's tourism economy. Azerbaijan is turning heads in the global Travel & Tourism sector. With visitor spending rising and employment accelerating, 2025 is shaping up to be a breakthrough year. These figures reflect growing international appeal and the success of Azerbaijan's long-term focus on diversification, cultural promotion, and sustainable tourism development. WTTC is proud to support the country's journey. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO Looking Back at 2024 In 2024, Azerbaijan's Travel & Tourism sector contributed ₼7.8BN to the economy, 10% behind 2019 levels, and supported 423,700 jobs. International visitor spending reached ₼3.4BN, a 29% increase year-on-year. Domestic visitor spending totalled ₼3.5BN, nearly 10% above 2023 levels. The upward trend across all indicators sets the stage for Azerbaijan to continue rising as a global tourism destination. Vision 2035: Long-Term Promise Looking ahead, WTTC forecasts that by 2035, Azerbaijan's Travel & Tourism sector will contribute over ₼17BN to the economy, almost 11% of GDP, and support almost 670,000 jobs. This would represent the creation of nearly 200,000 new jobs over the next decade. International visitor spending is expected to hit just under ₼9.5BN, while domestic visitor spending is forecast to reach ₼6.3BN, reflecting balanced and sustained sector growth. For more information and to access the full factsheet, including WTTC's latest Environmental Social Research (ESR), please visit WTTC's Research Hub. About WTTC The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector. WTTC Press Office WTTC View source
