The Ministry of Commerce, Transport, Industry and Tourism organized the general meetings of tourism in Burundi, 2024 edition. They took place in Bujumbura from February 27 to 28, 2024 under the theme: “ Tourism, a lever of economic growth serving an emerging Burundi in 2040 and a developed country in 2060 “. The speakers dissected the opportunities and challenges facing the tourism sector and proposed solutions.
The general meeting of tourism in Burundi was an opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing the tourism sector.
Burundi today has 249 registered tourist sites, but only 123 sites are recognized as such. In other words, a tourist can tour the country for more than two months without being able to visit all the existing tourist sites. In addition, Burundi is full of many opportunities in the tourism sector. Attractions or tourist potential are galore. Olivier Suguru, president of the Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burundi (CFCIB) recalled some of them.
Hippos and crocodiles populate Lake Tanganyika from Gatumba (Bujumbura) to Kabonga (Makamba). On this lake, cruise ships with restaurants on board, water sports, water skis, swimming, etc. are all potentialities which remain untapped until today. The sacred drums of Burundi were classified as UNESCO world heritage sites in 2014. Personally, I expected that the drums of Burundi would be classified among the wonders of the world in the same way as the pyramids of Egypt, the Victoria Falls… », estimates M. Suguru.
Burundian landscapes and forests amaze more than one
The Kibira forest is a true sanctuary of monkeys, chimpanzees, endemic types of trees, etc. Unfortunately, very few Burundians know the riches of this great forest of the country. The Ruvubu National Park which extends over four provinces, namely: Cankuzo, Karusi, Muyinga and Ruyigi has more than 1500 buffaloes, antelopes, baboons and other wild animals. Rusizi National Park is known for its numerous crocodiles, hippos, migratory birds, etc.
Vyanda Forest and Kigwena Forest are home to primates. The Karera Falls are a true marvel to behold. The southernmost source of the Nile in the commune of Rutovu (Bururi) is very interesting to admire. Cultural dances, notably the acrobatic agasimbo dance of Makamba, umuyebe and many specific regional dances, are cultural heritages to be praised.
Burundi is blessed with diverse landscapes such as plains through plateaus to heights reaching more than 2000 meters. Burundi is a green country all year round with very mild temperatures hovering around 20°C.
Various speakers proposed that Burundi eliminate entry visas to boost the flow of tourists.
Burundian cuisine is exceptional with organic foods. Fruits and vegetables from Burundi are loved by many people: the Chinese, Americans, Indians, French, Russians, Senegalese, etc. “ Everyone marvels at the flavor and quality of Burundian dishes. Burundian food is incomparably delicious », Estimates Mr. Suguru. He adds that Burundi is a haven of peace that Westerners have called the Switzerland of Africa or the country of 1000 hills. This country should be a popular tourist destination if and only if proper tourism marketing is carried out.
What is wrong with the tourism sector?
First, there is something wrong with the legal and regulatory framework. The Burundian legal arsenal is not very favorable to tourism. The tourism sector faces the overlap observed in different ministries. It is urgent to put in place a complete system to stimulate this sector, according to Mr. Suguru.
The public-private partnership is a legal and regulatory complement that deserves the attention of all stakeholders. We must consider entrusting the development, construction and management of tourist sites to the private sector. The State should limit itself to the creation of a favorable legal environment and cede the management of tourist sites to private individuals via in particular the long lease which is provided for by the land code.
On the other hand, the development of strategic infrastructure is the responsibility of public authorities: access routes to tourist sites (roads), the drawing of electrical lines, the supply of drinking water, the internet, etc. “ Infrastructure must be developed as an essential link in the tourism value chain. », Indicates Herman Ndayisaba, president of the Sectoral Chamber of Hospitality and Tourism
The President of the Republic Evariste Ndayishimiye calls on private individuals to take the lead in developing tourism and recommends that sectoral state bodies facilitate foreign investors working in this area.
Territorial administration agents and members of the national police are not trained on tourism even though they constitute an important link in the promotion of this sector. The local population is not involved in the preservation of tourist sites. “ We must educate the population about the benefits of tourism and train them on the impact of tourism on improving their living conditions. », specifies Mr. Ndayisaba. He adds that the enthusiasm of the population encourages tourists to come again and again.
However, in certain countries in the region such as Kenya, we talk about tourism for the community and the community for tourism. Part of the tourism revenue goes directly to the local community and, therefore, the local community protects the fauna, flora, etc., because it benefits directly from tourism.
Untrained tourism and hospitality agents
The hotel and tourism school does not exist. Consequently, hotel and tourist establishments are seriously lacking in trained managers and agents. Waiters, receptionists, chambermaids or valets, cooks, butlers, tourist guides, etc. are trained on the job. Which negatively influences their professionalism.
« In a bar, a restaurant… in Bujumbura, you have to whistle three times to get a waiter and when it’s time to pay the bill, even », laments Mr. Suguru. Jules Henri, consultant at Visit Burundi, agrees. He indicates that in restaurants, most of the agents who work there are not bilingual or trilingual. On top of that, some of them don’t know how to serve customers properly. Jacques Bigirimana, general director of tourism, reassures that things have changed. Among the Burundians, hospitality is there, but also workers in restaurants and bars are now able to speak several languages.
Despite everything, around 2015, the Higher Institute of Commerce (ISCO) was on the verge of setting up a Hospitality and Tourism section, but the project did not see the light of day following the socio-political crisis which shook the Burundi during this period. The Enabel common education fund was to finance this project in a public-private partnership philosophy. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators and travel agents had agreed to provide some practical courses and grant internships to students to allow them to get their hands dirty. “It would be wise to resurrect this project kept in the drawers of the ISCO deanship », souhaite M. Suguru.
Willy Nyamitwe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Burundi to Ethiopia, indicates that diplomatic missions must play an important role in promoting tourism.
There is no clear tourism marketing policy in Burundi. This work is not easy, but diplomatic and consular missions should take the lead. “ We, members of diplomatic missions, must remain in permanent communication with the capital [Gitega], follow the instructions of the capital, understand and know perfectly the government policy in the tourism sector. But in practice, there are budgetary and administrative constraints », Indicates Willy Nyamitwe, extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Burundi to Ethiopia. But he gives some tips. At the level of diplomatic missions, there are tools that are easily accessible. For example, setting up and maintaining a website which contains all the necessary documentation without forgetting social networks. This is easier and does not require a large budget. In addition to this, according to Mr. Suguru, the general directorate of tourism and the CFCIB should sit down together to develop a tourism marketing strategy for Burundi.
Domestic tourism is poor and the country is not open enough
In January 2022, the President of the Republic accompanied by his family undertook a tourist trip through Burundi and he showed his talents as a Mutimbo during his visit to Gishora (Gitega). His images have gone around the world and contributed to the promotion of Burundian tourism. It was the best example of the promotion of domestic tourism. Unfortunately, the chain of command did not follow suit. However, members of government, provincial governors, general directors, municipal administrators, businessmen… must organize themselves to see with their own eyes the wonders of Burundi.
In addition, Burundi is not open enough. But other countries are. Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, Seychelles have already abolished entry visas for all African nationals. Angola has also abolished visas for 98 countries around the world, including neighboring countries and countries from which tourists come. Malawi has just removed entry visas for 79 countries around the world. For more than 15 years, Madagascar has granted free entry visas for a maximum of 30 days to any African national. On this subject, various speakers proposed that Burundi also eliminate entry visas. For example, Révérien Ndikuriyo, secretary general of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, believes that eliminating visas for people entering Burundi is necessary to boost the flow of tourists. The money that Burundi earns by granting entry visas, it could recover indirectly in taxes. How ? Structures that welcome foreigners such as hotels and others will increase their income and, therefore, even the taxes to be paid to the State will increase.
In addition to this, in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Burundi must implement a consistent policy of openness. “ We must take advantage of the geographical location of Burundi which is the true heart of Africa », estimates M. Suguru.
Unclassified hotels and little-known Burundian cuisine
There is also a problem with the classification of hotel establishments. The first and last classification of hotels on the East African Community (EAC) criteria took place in 2018, but it was not exhaustive. So the hotel classification is not up to date. However, before leaving their countries of origin, tourists need to know the level of services that await them in the host countries.
Olivier Suguru, president of the Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burundi (CFCIB) believes that the development of tourism should go hand in hand with the promotion of traditional Burundian cuisine.
Gastronomic tourism is poorly developed in Burundi. “ Restaurateurs should write on their menus les iswa, ikizinu, “roasted pork”, unpeeled banana, bread width, grain, bread, umukubi, sogo, etc. », suggests Mr. Suguru. Unfortunately, the foods mentioned above are considered reserved for poor Burundians. In addition, instead of using modern pots, why not serve the meal in traditional pots (imibehe) also using wooden ladle spoons (indosho) like in the old days? This is to promote Burundian culture.
Avoid tourists being disappointed from first impressions
« If we want to develop tourism, let’s first think about the gateway, the airport. It’s not difficult. It’s just a warm welcome but, unfortunately, there are agents who are not trained in tourism », specifies Ambassador Nyamitwe. He adds that in a few months or a few years, Burundi is preparing to chair the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) or the Economic Community of African States (ECCAS) . This international visibility should be accompanied by other actions. A foreigner who lands in Burundi because he is obliged to participate in a meeting may return there because he appreciated something.
« The welcome is a shocking point! », laments Mr. Jules Henri. As Burundi has an international airport, for Mr. Henri, it should offer an interesting welcome, it should have hostesses, possibilities to refresh themselves, a website to facilitate the information of tourists: how to find a taxi, a hotel, a restaurant, etc. For him, there is a way to do it in a simple way by involving, for example, young graduates from universities who speak different languages.
In the provinces, when tourists go on a trek, there is also a reception problem in the villages. The population is cold or afraid. On top of that, according to Mr. Henri, some residents turn into beggars. In short, hospitality is an element that should be taken into account to motivate tourists.
Melchior Ndadaye International Airport singled out
At Melchior Ndadaye International Airport, airlines are concerned that the check-in counters are not sufficient when there are many travelers. Even the terminal is narrow and the runway is not very good as well as the roof.
Chantal Nijimbere, minister in charge of tourism, reassures that the government of Burundi is on the verge of rehabilitating the runway at Melchior Ndadaye international airport.
For all these concerns, Chantal Nijimbere, Minister of Commerce, Transport, Industry and Tourism, reassures that the government is committed to rationalizing the existing infrastructure of the terminal, including the expansion of check-in counters. . For the track, the studies have already been done and all that remains is the rehabilitation which is planned for the second half of 2024.
Tourism is profitable in countries that have prioritized it
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates that 1,286 million international tourists were recorded worldwide in 2023. This flow generated 1,600 billion USD. In Africa, the statistics for 2023 are rather good. Egypt welcomed 14.9 million tourists who generated revenues estimated at 15 billion USD. This country has the ambition to reach 30 million tourists in 2030. The second country is Morocco with 14.5 million tourists. The third country is Tunisia with 9.4 million tourists.
In the sub-region, tourism is also more or less flourishing and brings in a lot of foreign currency. Kenya welcomed 1.6 million tourists in 2022 who generated revenue estimated at two billion USD. In 2019, Tanzania raked in more than two billion USD in tourism revenue. Rwanda collected USD 380 million in tourism revenue in 2022.
To develop tourism, Burundi has an interest in imitating good examples, by setting objectives to be achieved in five years, 10 years, etc. The President of the Republic Evariste Ndayishimiye recalled that tourism is one of the pillars of the country’s economic development. He called on the private sector to take the lead and recommended that sectoral state bodies facilitate foreign investors working in the tourism sector. Furthermore, the promotion and protection of tourist sites, the flora and fauna of the country, cultural and historical values, is only possible if everyone develops patriotism and awareness of the citizen’s duty to maintain their own homes. .
