| Gorillas play an essential role in contributing to the | | | | It is home to around one third of the 700 |
| positive image of Rwanda and act as | | | | mountain gorillas left in the world and for several |
| ambassadors on the international scene by raising | | | | decades now, the country has been at the |
| the profile of the country. These gentle giants | | | | forefront of gorilla conservation. The endangered |
| also contribute greatly to Rwanda's tourism | | | | mountain gorilla still survives in the Virunga |
| industry. | | | | Mountains, a mountain chain linking Rwanda to the |
| The industry is a fundamental engine for the | | | | Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. |
| growth of the national economy and is driven by | | | | In its mid-term evaluation report, the Office of |
| the mountain gorillas which have been, and remain, | | | | Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN) says that a |
| the main attraction in Rwanda, bringing in over | | | | total of 408,482 tourists have been registered so |
| 20,000 visitors to the country each year. | | | | far, which is a 3.4% increase compared to the |
| Rwanda has enthusiastically received thousands of | | | | same period last year. |
| international visitors and appreciates the revenues | | | | Tourism is a pillar for rapid economic growth |
| generated through gorilla tourism. This has enabled | | | | within Rwanda and in many other countries like |
| the country to earn $80 million from Tourism in | | | | Uganda. Therefore, there is need to combine |
| half year, surpassing its $68 million target. | | | | forces and cooperation in protection and |
| The strong performance was attributed to the | | | | conservation of Natural assets, and communal |
| increase in tourists visiting the country. | | | | participation in promoting tourism and its links |
| Rwanda experiences unprecedented interest in its | | | | conservation issues. |
| primates by wildlife lovers from across the globe. | | | | |