Authors :
Eric Kwizera
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 10 - October
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/4rwtps57
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26Oct1362
Note : A published paper may take 4-5
working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and
ResearchGate.
Abstract :
This study assessed visitors’ perceived influence of the Visit Rwanda campaign on their decision to visit the Ethnographic Museum in Huye and examined annual museum visitation trends. A quantitative-dominant, cross-sectional mixed-methods design was used. Structured questionnaires were completed by 123 visitors; three museum and tourism officials were interviewed, and two community participants took part in an exploratory discussion. Observation and Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy administrative records for fiscal years 2023/2024–2025/2026 provided additional evidence.
Keywords :
Visit Rwanda Campaign; Destination Branding; Cultural Heritage Tourism; Ethnographic Museum Huye; Museum Visitation; Rwanda.
References :
- Crompton, J. L. (1979). Motivations for pleasure vacation. Annals of Tourism Research, 6(4), 408–424. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(79)90004-5
- Dann, G. M. S. (1977). Anomie, ego-enhancement and tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 4(4), 184–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(77)90037-8
- Ferreiro-Rosende, É., Morere-Molinero, N., & Fuentes-Moraleda, L. (2022). Employee and visitor interactions in museums as a driver to convey the museum brand identity: An exploratory study approach from Picasso museums. Journal of Brand Management, 29(4), 383–399. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41262-021-00267-1
- Mafuta, L. M., Maingi, S. W., & Khayiya, R. (2022). Influencing role of cultural diversity on destination brand equity, Mombasa County, Kenya. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 11(1), 102–117. https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720.214
- Mokabe, M. (2024). Integrated enhancement model for promoting cultural heritage tourism in South Africa. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 13(4), 779–786. https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720.564
- Mokabe, M. (2025). Strategic visitor-centric approaches to the promotion of cultural heritage tourism sites in South Africa. The Retail and Marketing Review, 21(2), 280–297. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17710021
- Muvunyi, F., Messina, G.-M., & Ndayishimiye, I. (2026). Cultural heritage-driven nation branding and sustainable development: Rebuilding national identity in Rwanda. African Journal of Empirical Research, 7(1), 1159–1173. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.1.98
- Pike, S., & Page, S. J. (2014). Destination marketing organizations and destination marketing: A narrative analysis of the literature. Tourism Management, 41, 202–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2013.09.009
- Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy. (2026). Ethnographic Museum annual visitation and revenue records, fiscal years 2023/2024–2025/2026 [Unpublished administrative data].
- Rwanda Development Board. (2025, April 15). Rwanda Development Board annual report highlights strong economic performance and strategic progress in 2024. https://rdb.rw/rwanda-development-board-annual-report-highlights-strong-economic-performance-and-strategic-progress-in-2024/
- Rwanda Development Board. (2026, April 28). Rwanda Development Board reports strong performance across investment, exports and tourism in 2025. https://rdb.rw/rwanda-development-board-reports-strong-performance-across-investment-exports-and-tourism-in-2025/
- UNESCO. (1972). Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage. https://whc.unesco.org/en/conventiontext/
- UNESCO. (2003). Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage. https://ich.unesco.org/en/convention
- Voets, T. Y. (2023). “Visit Rwanda”: A well-primed public relations campaign or a genuine attempt at improving the country’s image abroad? Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, 19(1), 143–154. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41254-021-00206-6
This study assessed visitors’ perceived influence of the Visit Rwanda campaign on their decision to visit the Ethnographic Museum in Huye and examined annual museum visitation trends. A quantitative-dominant, cross-sectional mixed-methods design was used. Structured questionnaires were completed by 123 visitors; three museum and tourism officials were interviewed, and two community participants took part in an exploratory discussion. Observation and Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy administrative records for fiscal years 2023/2024–2025/2026 provided additional evidence.
Keywords :
Visit Rwanda Campaign; Destination Branding; Cultural Heritage Tourism; Ethnographic Museum Huye; Museum Visitation; Rwanda.