After facing criticism over the Arsenal sponsorship package with Rwanda by the western world, the country is yet to shine again with the visit Rwanda campaign. Celebrated American comedian Ellen DeGeneres took a visit to one of the only country still surviving mountain gorillas.
Ellen and partner met President Paul Kagame and discussed her new strategy to add value to Rwanda’s tourism with the revamp of a tourism campus located in the northern district Musanze, this is meant to enable research, conservation activities, enhance education programs, and engage with the people of Rwanda.
Additionally, the campus will comprise laboratories, classrooms and also showcase Diani’s work as well as providing house facilities for visitors and students.
The Ellen DeGeneres campus was first announced during her 60th birthday as a gift for her partner Portia and will serve as a dedication to remember late Diani Fosseys works in Rwanda.
Dian Fossey was an American primatologist and conservationist who studied gorillas in Rwanda and the wider Virunga region from 1966 until her death in 1985.
Ellen and partner also visited the Kigali memorial site in Gishozi where they paid respect to over one million victims of the 1994 genocide against Tustsi.
Till date, Rwanda boasts in the fact that it is one of the few countries where mountain gorillas still exist.
Currently , Tourism is Rwanda’s biggest foreign exchange earner and several government officials have fiercely defended its $40m investment in English football club side Arsenal to feature the ‘Visit Rwanda’ logo on the left sleeve of all its teams for the next three years.
The Ellen DeGeneres meet is prospected to market and add value to Rwanda’s tourism.
