The World Tourism Day 2024 theme of “Tourism and Peace” presents a chance to reflect on the transformative role women-led tourism can play in post-conflict recovery.

by Dr. Stroma Cole, Co-Director of Equality in Tourism

Rwanda offers a powerful example. Tourism has become a pillar of the national economy in the decades following the 1994 genocide, with tourism revenue rising from very low levels to US$390 million by 2016 and $620 million by 2023. This growth has created opportunities for women to lead, innovate and heal their communities.

30 years on from the devastating conflict, it’s a poignant moment to consider the country’s remarkable progress and take inspiration from one pioneering women-led initiative in Kigali.