Tourism boom expected back in DRC with reopening of Virunga National Park

Tourism boom expected back in DRC with reopening of Virunga National Park

By Virunga Community Programs

Tourism industry players in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have welcomed the reopening of Virunga National Park on 15th February 2019. The oldest national park in the world was closed in June 2018 after a spate of insecurity incidences, particularly the kidnap of tourists and the killing of a park ranger who was guiding the travellers.

The closure of the park sadly curtailed tourism activities and was received with consternation in many quarters. However, we hope that the factors that led to the closure of the park have been addressed, particularly the insecurity issues that led to its closure in the first place.

This news also comes at a period when the DRC has seen a political transition, with the installation of a new government led by Felix Tshisekedi. With the new government in place, we hope that insecurity that has bedeviled the region is also going to be prioritized.

The Virunga Park is located in magical place blessed with nature at its pristine. It is found in a 3,000 square miles teeming with active volcanoes, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, lush mountain forests and savannahs. However, the insecurity incidences that have played out there have inhibited the region to gain from its tourism potential.

While businesses, particularly hotels and accommodations, tours and travels, were greatly affected by the closure, the park’s reopening is going to bring back tourist and business, and this should also be welcomed by the local communities who are set to gain from tourism activities in and around the park.

We would gain like to reaffirm that tourism activities in and around the park benefit the local communities mostly since they are the ones to gain from the tourist dollars. Therefore, the people themselves should jealously protect the park, and ensure that anything that can keep tourists away from park is avoided at all costs.

Poaching of wild animals and cutting of trees have been identified as some of the factors leading to insecurity incidences in and around the park. However, it is the local community that has a lot to lose when the park remains closed and, therefore, they should desist from these activities that keep away tourists.

Various regions and countries around the world are faced with different challenges of ensuring security and tourism safety, and the Virunga National Park is among those places that have not ranked favorably in terms of safety and security. The volatile nature of the region in general, characterized by political instability and community conflicts has made it to be perceived as a risky tourism destination. But for tourists to peacefully enjoy the wonderful attractions found at Virunga, they need to be reassured of their security, and we hope that this has finally been addressed and new efforts will be made to bring back the tourists in droves.

It may be considered as a luxurious activity, but visiting the Virunga for gorilla trekking is also a statement of support for the many rangers who in the past have lost their colleagues. They are in the frontline of conservation fight to protect the region’s natural assets, not just for the country, but also for the rest of humanity.

Most importantly, the park authorities should design strategies to improve the image and competitiveness of Virunga as a safe and preferred destination it has been.