Rwanda Commits to a Gorilla Friendly Year 2024!
Blog | 29/01/24
In the bid to set pace for the new year, IGCP conducted a series of Gorilla FriendlyTM meetings with Rwanda’s private sector and Volcanoes National Park staff. The meetings included a maiden training for Park Wardens and guides on the Gorilla FriendlyTM pledge, feedback sharing meeting with park managers to share tourist feedback about their tracking experience received through the Gorilla FriendlyTM pledge website and a refresher training for the tour guides and operators in Kigali. The meetings helped in creating deeper understanding about the Gorilla FriendlyTM pledge and the critical need for responsible tourism. It also brought to the attention of the managers, tourists’ tracking experiences.
Volcanoes National Park staff appreciated the timely engagement saying the meetings have laid a road map and given them something to work with through the year. The private sector on the other hand was challenged to not only promote mountain gorilla tourism but also do something for conservation. “There is no tourism without conservation. Join us to sustainably conserve these endangered species so that we can have more for tourism,” said Wellard Makambo, IGCP Director. Adding onto this, Mr. Yves Ngenzi, Head of Strategic Programmes Rwanda Tourism Chamber noted that, “We should envision mountain gorilla tourism in line with sustainability. Mountain gorillas have given us the opportunity to earn from tourism, we owe them safety and protection through adherence to best tourism practices.”
A couple of issues were raised during these meetings including unrealistic tourist expectations and marketing strategies of both the government bodies and private sector – some information shared is exaggerated and hence rises the tourists’ expectations. This has from time to time forced the park to bend the rules. The participants regretted this practice and promised to be better custodians and mountain gorilla ambassadors. Over 170 private sector, park staff and conservationists were met during these meetings. The number of people taking the pledge has since increased from 1463 to 1571. Be Gorilla Friendly. Take the Gorilla FriendlyTM pledge @www.gorillafriendly.org
