Kigali, the Rwanda capital, is gradually emerging as Africa’s leading convention destination. It has hosted the African Union summit in 2016 and top corporate conventions. The city has become a go-to in terms of high profile events. Most of these events are held at the newly built Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre located at the heart of the city. Mr Denis J. Dernault is the Complex General Manager. He spoke to OKORIE UGURU on some of the things that make the hotel the leading conference complex in Africa. Excerpts:
What is Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Centre Kigali all about?
It is an international chain of hotels and we have global presence. We are in Europe, Africa, Asia, Asia Pacific and so on. The aim of this hotel is to bring quality service in this particular destination which is for us a destination for meetings, incentives, conference and exhibition (M.I.C.E).
Basically the hotel opened in July 2016 and since then, we have hosted a certain number of events which has helped to enhance the visibility of Rwanda in the MICE sector and increase the number of visitors coming into the country.
You said Kigali is a destination for MICE, looking at the purpose for building the hotel. How has it been able to attract MICE programmes to Kigali?
One of the very important factors here is the ease of doing business which has been facilitated by the authorities. In addition to that is the fact that every citizen of the world can enter the country without a pre-requesting visa. That is one of the key factors for people who are into MICE. That is one of the elements which is very important. The second is that as a businessman, when you travel, it is important as well to ensure that the destination that you are going to is secured. This is another area that Rwanda is doing very well.
The third factor is that we have an airport which is going to be opened shortly, in about a year and half. So, it is to ensure that air connectivity is there and benefits the most potential market. That is very interesting. It ensures that the venue we have here, the Radisson Blu and Convention Centre, Kigali, is having the best benefits from these factors.
In terms of facilities, what are the things that stand Radisson Blu, Kigali, out in Africa in terms of hosting MICE events?
I think the first one is quality. We have been tested; we’ve had these types of high profile events and we know we can deliver. For those in this type of business know that in Rwanda, whatever you are doing, you will have these quality factors, responding to your occasions.
The second thing is that we have a facility which is highly flexible. We have the facilities to organize from small to large events. These are some of the things I believe give us a hedge.
You talked about your ability to deliver high profile events. How ‘high profile’ have been the events you have delivered so far?
The 2016 African Union (AU) summit was held here. We had 40 heads of state in the complex. We had delegations from over 50 countries at the summit. When I look at my ‘Golden Book’, it is a testimony of the experience. They attested that this was one of the best events that they had ever attended outside Addis Ababa, the AU headquarters. I think that says a lot and for us, it is a testimony of all the work we had put in.
You are familiar with Nigeria in the area of MICE or leisure. What do you think Radisson Blu Kigali offers Nigerians?
If we look at Nigeria, particularly Lagos, where I was , where business is booming…but I will say here there is a sense or level of organization that the Nigerian field could probably benefit from Kigali. The quality of our prices which is highly appropriate and level of skill are two elements that would be very interesting to Nigerian businessmen.
Having said that, it is not only about meetings, it is also about the experience of the destination. There is so much in terms scenery, in terms of leisure activities that you can combine with business when you are coming to the destination. That can be a very interesting outcome that potential customers in Nigeria can look at.
So you can offer both business and leisure for visitors?
Absolutely!
Guests visiting Kigali can have a memorable experience?
Absolutely! There is the opportunity to combine business and leisure. Just staying one extra day, there is so much you can see and discover about Rwanda. That is really a plus because you don’t have to travel for six hours plus to get to the sites. Everything is nearly available within, maximum, two and half hours from the complex.
You are familiar with an average Nigerian mentality in terms of leisure and relaxation. What does Rwanda offer in this regard?
I know that customers there want to have quality offering and this quality offering you can find it in the city or in the country side at the newest lodges that have opened there. In terms of entertainment, the scene is constantly developing here-dining, lounging and so on, as well as night life. They are there and developing. There are a lot of activities also in the pipeline that are coming. The experience here is really complete and you do it in a very safe and secure environment where you can go to any part of the country and you will not have any problem with, for example, pick pockets, thieves and so on. This place is a very safe environment. This is a place that you are really welcome as a foreigner. The people are very nice and they tend to assist you.