The government has moved to ally fears that recent attacks staged by rebels in Kinigi sector in Musanze district near the border with Democratic Republic of Congo would scare away tourists.

Chief executive of Rwanda Development Board Clare Akamanzi, said the number of tourists visiting gorilla and golden monkeys have in fact increased over the past few days despite the attacks.

Rebels armed with machetes, knives and guns last week killed 14 people and injured another 14.

Visiting the area, Ms Akamanzi took pictures with jolly tourists and posted them on social media to reassure tourists that security had been restored in the area.

According to RDB, about 600 tourists visited the area a day after the attack that the government says it will not rest until the attackers are apprehended.

Ms Akamanzi also met representatives of security organs, tour operators, hoteliers and conservationists to assure them that security had been restored.

“I want to assure you that stability has been restored. It is our singular goal and priority to ensure tourists are safe and have an exceptional experience. Over the past four days, we welcomed more than 600 visitors of gorillas and golden monkeys,” she said.

She added that on Wednesday on alone, 59 tourists were scheduled to visit endangered gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park, while 68 others were to visit the park for other activities such as hiking the Virunga Mountains and visiting other primates such as the golden monkeys.

Security in the area was also reaffirmed by Brigadier General Vincent Gatama, Rwanda Defence Forces 2nd Division Commander, who told tour operators that “the attackers didn’t target businesses but other facilities and we stopped them before they got there. Your businesses and properties are protected.”

The area, located in northern Rwanda, was on October 4 surprised by an attack in which assailants killed 14 people with machetes, knives and live bullets.

The assailants claimed to be part of rebels based in eastern DRC, who among their ranks include individuals wanted for crimes committed during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

The military was able to repulse them, killing 19 of them in the process and arresting five.
Tourism has been Rwanda’s revenue cash cow for over a decade, fetching about $438 million in 2017, with the Volcanoes National Park – home to the endangered mountain gorillas – being the biggest tourist attraction.

The government has not yet released tourism figures for 2018, with officials saying that they are employing a new methodology to compute data, and that the annual figures will be published before the end of this year.

The attack come barely a month after gorilla naming event that attracted conservationists, celebrities, renowned philanthropists and diplomats to celebrate the country’s success in protecting the endangered mountain gorilla species.

The star-studded line-up who named baby gorillas at the foothills of the Volcanoes National Park included Nation Media Group Chairman Dr Wilfred Kiboro, Former Ethiopian PM Hailemariam Desalegn, Deputy Secretary of the UN Amina Mohammed, American RnB singer Ne-Yo, former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, former Arsenal FC captain Tony Adams, HRH Princess of Jordan Basma Bint Ali, Sri Lankan philanthropist Otara Gunewardene, Rwandan US based Choreographer Sherrie Silver and British supermodel Naomi Campbell among others.