A recently opened hotel in Musanze has been ranked among the best new luxury hotel brands of 2019 in the world.

Luxury Travel Intelligence (LTI) a global hospitality research firm released a list of 15 best new luxury hotels in 2019, ranking Singita Kwitonda Lodge third.

The new hotel is located near the Volcanoes National Park a destination that has been attracting luxury brands in recent years.

In 2017, at the time tourism officials announced hikes of gorilla permits to $ 1500, the country was targeting high end tourists.

The fees for permits are almost doubles of their neighboring countries that host mountain gorillas here are not details on methodology LTI’s 2019 used for the rankings on its 15 new best luxury properties.

“The top 12 positions were all based on the brand’s ability to provide its passion, commitment, ethos and values to its guests.

The quality of its management and staff were also taken into consideration,” the firm said in a note about the ranking.

“Any positive message about Rwanda tourism is good news for the entire industry,” said Frank Mustaff, managing director of Horwath HTL Interconsult ltd, a global hospitality consulting firm that also operates in Rwanda.

The 2019 edition of best new luxury hotels is dominated by European and Asian brands.

“Rwanda has chosen to promote itself as a luxury destination and I think from market stand point that is a right approach, however, it is only one segment,” Mr Mustaff said in an interview with Rwanda Today.

In recent years, new luxury properties have opened in Kinigi, Musanze district near the volcanoes National Park, targeting high end tourists who come to visit mountain gorillas, the country’s flagship product in tourism.

“It’s beyond hotel, you can stay at a super hotel and get a bad experience,” he said adding: “We still need to do more when it comes to other luxury experiences.”

“Mountain gorilla is a luxury because it is very unique and limited, we have to create luxury travel circuits and events otherwise we will remain with those tourists that come and visit Kigali and leave,” added Mr Mustaff.

Tourism experts say the key aspects of luxury tourism are comfort and emotions while others define it as the best of all available.

According to the latest hotel grading that was unveiled in November by Rwanda Development Board, the country has five hotel lodges that are ranked as five stars with highest standards.

In June 2020, Kigali will host the Common Wealth Heads of Governments Meeting a high level forum that is expected to bring many delegates, including high end tourists for MICE that is now a big segment of tourism sector.