This report primarily covers the findings from the travel expenditure survey, which were utilized to estimate travel services for 2024Q1 and 2024Q2.
In total, 10 borders were selected namely Kigali International Airport, Rusumo, Kagitumba, Gatuna, Cyanika, Rusizi I, Rusizi II, Bugarama, La Corniche and Poids Lourds. In the second stage, travellers at each border are screened based on their residence.
The screening of passengers is done to ensure only targeted travellers are interviewed: non-resident visitors to Rwanda exiting the country (travel credit) and Rwandan residents who travelled abroad entering Rwanda (travel debit).
- November 2023 - January 2024 (Q1, 2024)
- May – July 2024 (Q2, 2024)
In 2024Q1 and 2024Q2, the total travel credit was 123.31 million USD and 144.4 million USD, while the total debit stood at 85.7 million USD and 83.1 million USD respectively. In 2024 Q2, travelers using air transport mode generated 84.4 percent of credit transactions compared to 68 percent for debit transactions.
Regarding the purpose of travel, business travelers contributed 18.8 percent, holiday travelers contributed 49.9 percent while visitors of friends and relatives contributed 24.2 percent of travel credit. On the other hand, business travelers contributed 34.1 percent, holiday travelers contributed 14.1 percent while visitors of friends and relatives contributed 41.3 percent of travel debits.
In 2024Q2, Rwanda exported travel services worth an estimated 144.4 million USD According to this estimate, the average daily expenditure per resident by air during their stay abroad is on holiday (185 million USD) with the most purpose and the highest spending in the Rest of Africa (219 million USD). However, the average daily expenditure by land per resident during their stay abroad is VFR (21 million USD) and the largest spending in the EAC (21 million USD).
On average in 2024Q2, Rwanda imported travel services estimated at 83.1 million USD. In this estimate, the average daily expenditure per non-resident by air during their stay in Rwanda is on holiday (173 million USD) as the most purpose and the largest spending from North America (208 million USD).
Similarly, the average daily expenditure by land per non-resident during their stay in Rwanda is on holiday (66 million USD), and the largest spending in North America (139 million USD). The export value of travel services in 2024Q1 was 123.3 million USD and the import value of travel services in 2024Q1 was 85.7 million USD.