Rwanda Report Download of above Rwanda Investment

AviaDev 2017: African aviation industry gathers in Rwanda  10 October 2017   Founder Jon Howell has welcomed over 100 industry leaders to Rwandan capital Kigali for AviaDev 2017. Taking place at the newly built Kigali Convention Centre, the gathering is the only dedicated air service development event for Africa, taking place on the African continent in 2017. “It is appropriate that we are here in a country that places such emphasis on aviation as a means of economic development,” Howell said. “This is a success story that continues to be written.” In his opening remarks he said this was a positive time for aviation in Africa. “We come together at a time when the African aviation market is growing,” he continued. “IATA predicts that all of the top ten fastest growing aviation markets in the next 20 years will all be in Africa. “This is something that brings great cause for optimism.” However, this is from a low base, Howell pointed out, with only three per cent of global aviation originating on the continent, despite being home to 15 per cent of the world’s population. He also pointed to problems, including poor infrastructure, government intransience, and a feeling route decision are not taken solely based on commercial considerations, that slow development. But Howell also suggested there should now be a focus on opportunities, not challenges. He pointed to successes in recent years, for example making African skies safer, with zero hull-loss accidents on the continent in 2016. There are also new airlines springing up, with Jet Afrique and JetWest both recently entering the market   Rezidor’s CEO hails inaugural AviaDev conference that will discuss issues facing travel in Africa Wolfgang M. Neumann, President and CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group September 8, 2016 The CEO of one of the world’s leading hotel chains has welcomed the launch of AviaDev Africa – the inaugural conference to determine future air connectivity – and called for even closer cooperation between the hotel and airline industries. Wolfgang M. Neumann, President and CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group, will be participating at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (‘AHIF’), on the panel discussing tourism infrastructure in Africa. AHIF, the premier hotel investment conference, which runs parallel with AviaDev Africa, will be taking place on October 4-6 in Kigali, Rwanda. It brings together top-level international investors, business leaders, industry experts, government ministers and officials, from around the globe. AviaDev visitors will be able to meet and network with 30 airlines, 40 airports and 500-plus delegates in 1,000 meetings. The two conferences will provide a platform for airports, airlines, governments and tourism authorities to plan future air connectivity in Africa and to discuss those plans with the hospitality industry. They will also be able to discuss the main issues confronting economic growth in the region that have been recently compounded by the threat of terrorism and the outbreak of Ebola. Matthew Weihs, Bench Events Managing Director, said: “Hosting these two co-ordinated events provides a unique opportunity for everyone involved in the aviation and hotel industries. We have some exceptional speakers, as well as plenty of opportunities for networking and forming mutually beneficial partnerships.” Both conferences have been organised by Bench events. They take place at a time when data produced by the International Air Transport Association (‘IATA’) has predicted strong growth for Africa, which will include seven of the top ten fastest growing aviation markets. Wolfgang M. Neumann said: “The success of airlines and hotels are inextricably linked. The two industries have worked closely together for decades and it’s important that this dialogue is maintained. We keep a close eye on what’s happening with new routes and flights as these are ultimately a reflection of consumer demand.” Neumann said that Rezidor has seen a surge in growth in Africa “more than anywhere else in the world,” and added: “Scheduling a new airline route development conference alongside the Africa Hotel Investment Forum is a smart move and bound to attract more decision makers to shape the future of travel in Africa, and facilitate a meaningful discussion on the issues and opportunities in the region.” Bench Events has outlined three key areas that could help the continent’s aviation and tourism industries achieve their full potential, in the face of Africa’s broad economic challenges which include falling commodity prices, slowing consumer consumption and lower growth. Reducing aviation fuel taxes Industry insiders say the fuel tax, set by governments in Africa, is too high and is stifling economic growth. Costs are being passed on to passengers, keeping travel numbers low. Matthew Weihs said: “Air fuel in Africa can cost up to 2.5 times the world average. The low oil price has undoubtedly assisted the growth of air transport worldwide and many airlines have enjoyed a good 2015 and 2016 but aviation is not a money-spinner. So surely now is the time for more enlightened taxation policies including a reduction in taxes on fuel to help aviation and hence commerce flourish in Africa.” Resolving airline revenue repatriation In June, IATA called on four African governments – Nigeria, Sudan, Egypt and Angola – to ensure airlines are able to repatriate revenues owed to them. The concern is that a shortage of dollars, because of a fall-off in oil revenues, will make airlines increasingly nervous about retrieving funds owed to them, resulting in route closures. Matthew said: “There’s no easy solution to this issue, but it could have catastrophic consequences for aviation markets and set them back many years.’ Developing a single African passport This would offer visa-free access to passport holders from the 54 member states in The African Union. The aim is to have the passport fully implemented by 2020. The first recipients would be heads of state, government ministers and permanent representatives. Behramjee Ghadially, Senior Manager Route Network Planning, Arik Air, who will be at AviaDev, concluded: ‘Without investment in infrastructure and hotel beds, there is no need for air services. AviaDev will bring together these two communities for the benefit of Africa.” AHIF and AviaDev take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre in Kigali from 4-6 October 2016. Full details, including the programme and speaker line-up can be found at www.Africa-Conference.com.   “Seven of the top ten fastest growing aviation markets in the next 20 years will be in Africa”   “Without infrastructural investment and hotel beds, there is no need for air services”  AVIADEV will bring together these two communities for the benefit of Africa” By Wolfgang H.thome March 04, 2016   AGAGERA NATIONAL PARK SET TO BECOME ANOTHER “BIG FIVE” PARK   It seems a done deal now for Eastern Black rhinos to return to Rwanda, after the Rwanda Development Board and African Parks - AP manages Akagera under a joint venture agreement - partnered with the Dutch government to start the process of relocating several rhinos as a breeding stock into the park.  Only last year did African Parks succeed in bringing a pride of seven lions from South Africa to Akagera, after some Kenyan pseudo conservationists scuttled a deal under which a similar number of lions from Kenya was to be brought to Rwanda  The rhino relocation will in all likelihood also bring several of the rare animals from South Africa to Rwanda. This is to avoid similar tactics to be played again by the same misguided individuals in Kenya who felt the Land of a Thousand Hills was unfit to get lions and perhaps even more so for the introduction of rhinos. The deal was struck on occasion of the World Wildlife Day, when as part of the day's celebrations the rhino relocation project was part of the day's program.  Under the management of African Parks was Akagera not only fenced along the boundary with adjoining farms but the fence was also lion proved to avoid the predators straying into ranch- and farmland.  Visitor numbers have vastly increased to Akagera with notably Rwandans now constituting the highest number of park entries as domestic tourism is taking roots.  Poaching, a regular menace before AP came on board, has also literally been wiped out to a large part due to the regular patrols mounted with sniffer dogs used to detect illegal entries into the park and chase down intruders. Akagera, the oldest park in Rwanda, is one of four national parks, besides Volcanoes, Nyungwe Forest and as of last year Gishwati Forest.