BUJUMBURA September 28th (ABP) – The tourism sector is a driving force of economic growth and job creator in Burundi to the tune of 4.4% in many related sectors, that is to say the agriculture, telecommunications and construction, declared on Monday, September 27, 2021, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Transport, Industry and Tourism, Jérémie Banigwaninzigo, on the occasion of the celebration of the World Day of Tourism, 2021 edition.
The government of Burundi joins other nations of the world on September 27 of each year to celebrate World Tourism Day, the theme chosen for this year is “Tourism for inclusive growth,” said Mr. Banigwaninzigo, who added that this day is celebrated in the context of Covid-19 which has hit the world economy hard, not to mention the tourism sector.
According to the permanent secretary at the ministry which has tourism in its attributions, the government of Burundi is deploying its efforts to promote the sectors which represent a promising potential in order to increase its economy, a check on the site by ABP has disclosed.
It is in that perspective that the National Development Plan of Burundi (PND 2018-2027) provides for the revitalization of ecotourism from the improvement of the supply and the stimulation of the demand for tourism products, according to three specific objectives, namely the reform of the tourism sector, the development of infrastructures adapted to international conferences and other major events as well as the promotion of adapted reception infrastructures in tourist zones, noted Mr. Banigwaninzigo.
Aware of the importance of tourism, the Burundian government has shown its political will to develop that sector by setting up the national strategy for sustainable development of tourism which is currently under evaluation at mid-term for a better adaptation to realities as well. that the investment code which offers a number of advantages for local and foreign investors who want to invest in the tourism sector, continued Mr. Banigwaninzigo.
He reported that this encouraging policy has led investors to build more than 500 hotels in just a few years as, he revealed, the number of tourist establishments has increased from 87 in 2010 to 595 in 2019.
The ministry in charge of tourism took that opportunity to encourage the promotion of domestic tourism, a pillar of the redistribution of wealth in the country.
Aware of the role of domestic tourism for the inclusive development of our country, the ministry having tourism in its attributions, through the general direction of tourism, encouraged the Burundian citizens to visit the tourist circles of the country and called on foreigners to visit Burundi under the brand “Visit Burundi”.
To that end, the same ministry thanked and encouraged private investors for the role they play in increasing employment through tourism services.
In stimulating demand for products from industry, tourism and improving the tourism supply, the government of Burundi is aware that reforms are still needed in the sector, including capacity building of professionals to improve the quality of services, the classification of hotel establishments, the development of tourist infrastructures such as the construction of international conference rooms as well as the rehabilitation of tourist sites.
The ministry having tourism in its attributions reaffirmed the government’s commitment to do everything in its power to ensure that this sector really plays its role as a vector of economic growth in increasing revenues, creating jobs, providing currencies and peacebuilding in Burundi.