The government of Rwanda established the Policy related with Community Based-Tourism (CBT). Through this policy, local populations are encouraged to create community-based tourism initiatives such as cooperatives and enterprises in order to increase their participation in the growing tourism industry.
Would you like to start a Community-Based Tourism Enterprise (CBTE) in Rwanda? Today, we take a look at the steps you must take in order to start and run your Community-Based Tourism Project in Rwanda.
What is a Community-based Tourism Enterprise?
According to Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a Community-Based Tourism Enterprise is a tourism business owned and created by or for a local community in which they have the authority to determine their tourism product and revenue structure and choose to engage in business partnerships with other stakeholders for mutual benefits.
In Rwanda, Community-Based Tourism Enterprises are characterized by the following features:
– The business belongs to the community while other stakeholders can be business partners or associates with the community;
– Adherence to responsible tourism practices;
– The local community is actively involved and engaged in decision-making process
– CBTEs are commercially viable business ventures or companies.
Community-based tourism has been promoted in Rwanda as a mechanism to encourage conservation with increased community participation, particularly in areas surrounding national parks. Community-based tourism is positioned as a strategy to diversify income sources, enhance community participation in conservation and reduce reliance on resource extraction from protected areas.
Apart from participation, community-based tourism initiatives enable local citizen to generate income from tourism activities and to participate in promoting sustainable tourism practices. Although there are still challenges such low marketing capacity, unequal tourism benefit distribution and limited capacity CBTEs have improved local livelihood, increased community for conservation, helped local citizen to create small enterprises and create jobs, and reduced illegal activities like poaching near Rwanda’s national Parks.
Types of Community-Based Enterprises in Rwanda
According to the National guidelines for Community-Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTEs) in Rwanda, there are two main types of CBTEs in Rwanda:
a) CBTEs created and owned by communities: These are Community-Based Tourism businesses initiated and owned by the communities or in partnership with external stakeholders.
b) CBTEs created by tourism related entrepreneurs with shared ownership: These are tourism related community businesses initiated by tourism operators with a transparent business partnership agreement with the community.
How to start a Community-Based Tourism Enterprise in Rwanda?
In order to start a Community-Based Tourism Enterprise in Rwanda, the following steps must be followed:
1) Identify the CBTE site
Before setting up a CBTE, check whether the local area has the resources (land, infrastructure and facilities) to support a commercially viable CBTE.
2) Develop a business feasibility stud
Ensure that the CBTE is commercially viable, sustainable, has a market demand and offers a good quality product or service. CLICK HERE TO REQUEST FOR THE SERVICES TO DEVELOP A FEASIBILITY STUDY.
3) Set a vision and define objectives
Before setting up a CBTE, establish its vision, goals and define its objectives. First, ask yourself the following questions: where are you now? Where do you want to be? And, how will you get there?
4) Develop a management plan
Ensure that local communities have control over the management of the CBTE activities.
5) Involve the local authorities
Let the community have a say in the decision-making process and development of the new CBT products.
6) Design CBT product or services
CBTE owners must participate in creating CBT products and services they intend to offer
7) Skills Development
Build the capacities of CBTE owners by training them to manage their businesses, offer excellent services, and communicate appropriately with their clients.
8) Develop a marketing plan
Before setting up a CBTE, think about how to promote your new product to your clients and your target market.
9) CBTE registration and Licensing
Ensure that the CBTE is registered and licensed by competent authorities. In Rwanda, CBTE are register by Rwanda development Board (RDB)
WOULD LIKE TO BE ASSISTED IN REGISTERING AND LICENCING YOUR CBTE, CLICK HERE TO REQUEST THE SERVICE.
In conclusion, establishing a community-based tourism enterprise in Rwanda is easy. All you have to do is to identify your site and prepared the required documents for business registration and licensing. CBTEs are also among smart business ideas you can start and make money in Rwanda.
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