Google has partnered with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to map the country's tourist attractions, as the travel industry has become that country's top foreign currency earner.
The initiative, Rwanda Tourism MapUp, uses Google Maps to pinpoint attractions, as well as relevant services such as hotels, restaurants and banks.
The move comes as the Internet becomes an important method of communication in the tourism industry. According to Google statistics, 62% of those in the US use search engines as their number one source for travel information.
Also, tourism is Rwanda's top foreign exchange earner. According to the World Bank, tourism accounted for 23% of total exports between 2005 to 2008, while coffee and tea were 11% and 8%, respectively.
“Rwanda is proud to be the first African country to work with Google, citizen mappers and tourism operators to systematically map all tourism facilities and attractions to increase discoverability through search engines,” says Rica Rwigamba, head of tourism and conservation at RDB.
Airlines such as KLM and Gulf Air now fly regularly to Rwanda, contributing to the growth of the sector. RDB has also launched a customer service campaign -“Na Yombi” - in order to train hoteliers and guides in customer service.
The new MapUp is part of this drive towards making travel in Rwanda easier and more comfortable, according to Rwigamba.
Forty mappers, GUS experts, students and tourism operators are taking part in the scheme, which will be updated regularly as Rwanda's tourism infrastructure grows. Aside from attractions, hotels, restaurants and banks, road networks, forex bureaus and shopping centres will also be mapped.
“Up till now there has been very little information available on travel trade in Africa on how they can maximise their online presence,” says E-Tourism Africa MD Damian Cook.
MapUp uses the standard Google Maps application, which offers maps, route planners and service locators. All national parks and lakes are being mapped, as well as the Congo Nile Trail, Nyungwe Forest and key islands, trails and attractions.
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