KIGALI, May 9 (Xinhua) -- As Rwanda reports a steady rise in Chinese tourist arrivals, tourism stakeholders say the recovery of Chinese outbound tourism is creating fresh opportunities for local businesses, conservation initiatives, and community-based tourism projects across the country.

Gregory Bakunzi, founder of the Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development, said Chinese visitors are becoming an important market segment for Rwanda's tourism industry, particularly as the country promotes high-value, low-impact tourism.

"I have observed a gradual increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Rwanda, particularly in the post-COVID-19 recovery period," Bakunzi said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

According to him, Chinese tourists are increasingly attracted not only by Rwanda's famous mountain gorillas and national parks, but also by immersive cultural experiences such as community interactions, traditional performances, storytelling, and local handicrafts.

Bakunzi noted that community-based tourism projects have directly benefited from the growing interest among Chinese travelers. Programs centered on basket weaving, traditional cooking, and cultural exchanges have helped raise household incomes by an estimated 20 to 30 percent during peak tourism seasons.

"Chinese tourists represent an important and emerging market segment that aligns well with Rwanda's vision of sustainable tourism," he said.

Andrew Gatera, managing director of G-Step Tours, also highlighted a noticeable increase in Chinese tourist arrivals over the past decade, driven by stronger diplomatic and economic relations between Rwanda and China.

Rwanda's reputation as one of Africa's cleanest and safest destinations, combined with growing global interest in eco-tourism and wildlife experiences, continues to attract Chinese travelers, according to Gatera, also secretary of the Rwanda Tours and Travel Association.

Industry players say Chinese tourists are evolving from traditional group travelers into more experience-driven visitors, especially among younger and middle-to-upper-income travelers seeking personalized journeys. In Rwanda, these preferences are reflected in growing demand for gorilla trekking, wildlife safaris, photography-focused travel, and visits to local communities.

Several sectors have benefited from the increase in Chinese tourism, including hospitality, transportation, handicrafts, retail, and community tourism enterprises.

To better accommodate Chinese travelers, some Rwandan businesses have introduced Mandarin-language services, translated tourism materials, and mobile payment options. Restaurants and hotels are also gradually adapting menus and services to cater to Chinese tastes and expectations.

Tourism stakeholders say broader cooperation between Rwanda and China in trade, infrastructure, aviation, and digital innovation is helping facilitate tourism growth.

Bakunzi said the growing influence of Chinese travelers presents an opportunity to strengthen community-based tourism models that support local livelihoods, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability.

Gatera added that Chinese tourists are likely to reshape the global tourism industry by encouraging destinations to improve service quality, embrace digital innovation, and diversify tourism offerings.

"As destinations adapt to meet Chinese travelers' expectations, these improvements often benefit all tourists," he said. "Ultimately, the growing influence of Chinese tourism contributes to a more interconnected, competitive, and experience-driven global tourism landscape."

Rwanda's tourism sector recorded robust growth in 2025, generating 685 million U.S. dollars in revenue, compared with 647 million dollars in 2024, the latest report by the Rwanda Development Board shows, attributing the strong performance to the arrival of 1.49 million visitors. ■