The Liberation History Tourism Trail was conceived in 2018 as a tourism product in a joint collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Rwanda Defence Force in response to the growing demand for heritage and cultural offerings and renewed global interest in Rwanda, its liberation story and post-genocide transformation.
The Covid-19 pandemic has dealt a body blow to tourism disrupting the entire sector across the globe. This has necessitated that countries return to the drawing board and devise ways to keep travellers engaged as they await the reopening of borders.
This past week, Rwanda through its tourism arm, Rwanda Development Board launched a mobile application to support the Liberation History Tourism trail to celebrate the national liberation of the country in its 26th anniversary.
The Liberation History Tourism Trail was conceived in 2018 as a tourism product in a joint collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Rwanda Defence Force in response to the growing demand for heritage and cultural offerings and renewed global interest in Rwanda, its liberation story and post-genocide transformation.
“The preservation of liberation heritage sites is a national priority not only for the growth of both domestic and international tourism but also as income generating activities for the communities that supported the troops during the Liberation struggle,” said the Rwanda Development Board Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kariza in a statement.
“This mobile app aims to connect Rwanda’s heritage and cultural attractions with existing diverse tourism products and experiences,” Kariza added.
This new heritage tourism product, Liberation History Tourism Trail, traces the route of the Rwanda Patriotic Army’s liberation struggle from October 1990 to July 4, 1994.
Global access
During its initiation, eight unique destinations were identified based on their attractiveness and their readiness along the liberation tourism trial for development into touristic attractions.
These unique touristic destinations are; Kagitumba, Shonga, Mulindi, Misarrange, Musanze (Nyamagumba), Urugano, CND and Gikoba.
The Liberation History Tourism Trail digital application was launched during the July 4 Liberation Day celebrations in Nyagatare. This mobile app will provide the end user with readily available content about the trail and will be accessible worldwide.
The features of the digital application include information on the history and significance of all 44 liberation sites located in six districts across the country.
Additional features such as accessibility, surrounding amenities and booking information.
This digital application launch comes at a time when Rwanda has officially reopened its international tourism business and aims to expand its destination experiences with travellers as commercial flights resume on August 1.
The unveiling of this mobile application serves to prepare visitors to these touristic attractions and is tailored for people who are lurking online contemplating on places they can go to.
