Rwanda’s Travel & Tourism sector achieved unprecedented growth in 2024, setting new records for its contribution to the economy, employment, and visitor spending.
The sector contributed a record Fr1.9 trillion to the country’s economy last year. This accounted for 9.8% of Rwanda’s total economy and marked a 17.7% increase over the previous peak in 2019.
After a slower year in 2023, job numbers and international visitor spending both reached new highs in 2024. Travel & Tourism supported nearly 386,000 jobs and international visitors spent a record Fr1 trillion—an increase of Fr169 billion compared to 2019.
Domestic spending also rose sharply, climbing 32.2% above pre-pandemic levels to more than Fr773 billion.
This strong growth reflects the Rwandan government’s commitment to tourism as a key part of economic diversification. Major infrastructure projects, like the upcoming Bugesera International Airport, will further enhance connectivity and boost visitor numbers and spending. The new airport is expected to handle 14 million passengers annually once completed.
