The findings are based on the Travel Expenditure Survey (TES), which provides a comprehensive analysis of outbound travel spending by Rwandans.
The TES, conducted from November 1, 2024, to January 30, 2025, analyzed travel expenses across major expenditure categories such as accommodation, food and beverages, transportation, shopping, entertainment, sightseeing, education-related expenses, and health-related expenses, excluding international transportation costs.
In the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, Rwandan travelers spent approximately $91.0 million on travel services. Business travel was a major contributor to this figure, with expenses amounting to $36.3 million in Q4.
Travel Behavior and Spending Patterns
The TES report provides deeper insights into the travel behaviors of Rwandan residents abroad, including the length of stay and average daily expenditure.
Rwandans traveling by air for education stayed the longest, with an average of 323 nights in North America, 317 nights in Europe, and 281 nights in Asia. Business travelers typically stayed between 8 and 14 nights, depending on the destination.
Health-related travel had varying durations, with the longest stays recorded in Europe (79 nights) and the EAC (18 nights). For land travelers, those studying in the EAC stayed an average of 129 nights, while business travelers stayed around 7 nights.
Rwandans traveling by air for health-related reasons had the highest daily spending, particularly in the rest of Africa ($249) and Asia ($164). Holiday travelers spent $193 per day in Asia and $134 in Europe, while business travelers had an average daily expense ranging from $100 in the EAC to $154 in North America. By land, Rwandan business travelers spent significantly less, averaging $10 per day in the EAC and $6 in the rest of Africa.
In Q4 2024, a total of 56,324 Rwandans returned from international trips by air, while 339,110 returned by land. The majority of air travelers were from the EAC (25,279), followed by Europe (699) and the rest of Africa (1,234). Among land travelers, the EAC dominated, with 169,786 business travelers and 160,461 visiting friends and relatives.
While Rwandans spent significantly on travel abroad, the report also highlighted the economic benefits of foreign visitors to Rwanda. In 2024, foreign visitors injected over $579.5 million (approximately Rwf 816 billion) into the country's economy through expenditures on various goods and services.
According to the study, visitors to Rwanda spent approximately $126.1 million in Q4 2024, with holiday travelers contributing $56.2 million to this total. The analysis of visitor spending patterns showed that tourists arriving by air accounted for 81.1% of total visitor expenditures, while those entering via land borders contributed the remaining amount.
Foreign visitors' spending varied based on origin and mode of travel. Air travelers from Asia had the highest average daily expenditure at $197 per person, followed by those from North America and other African countries at $151 per day.
European visitors spent an average of $129 daily, while East African visitors had the lowest daily expenditure at $82. For land travelers, North Americans on holiday spent an average of $146 per day, while visitors from Asia and Europe spent $109 and $100 per day, respectively.
The report's findings provide crucial data to guide strategic decisions in the tourism and travel sectors, ensuring that Rwanda maximizes both inbound and outbound economic activities in a sustainable manner.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/business/article/rwandans-spent-frw-512-billion-on-travel-abroad-in-2024
