PROGRAMS
The Burundi Tourism Week Photo Competition was created to provide storytellers, whether local or international photographers, the opportunity to showcase Burundi’s magnificent tourist attractions, breathtaking landscapes and rich culture through photography.
This is a unique opportunity for talented photographers to raise awareness about the Burundi destination using different social media platforms.
Local photographers and creative houses are invited to register on the Burundi Tourism Week online platforms, capturing images of nature, travel, tourist attractions, wildlife, heritage and culture, highlighting the wonders of Burundi. This competition is a driving force to encourage the public to discover Burundi.
Terms of Participation
How to participate: Photographers must register on the official Burundi Tourism Week website. After registration, each participant will be able to submit up to 3 photos, which must be published on social networks with the hashtag #BurundiTourismWeek and tagging @visit_burundi.
Format and Size: Photos must be in JPEG or PNG format, with a minimum size of 2 MB and a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
Selection Criteria: Photos will be judged on the basis of creativity, originality, technical quality, relevance to the theme and visual impact.
Copyright: Participants retain copyright to their photos, but by participating, they grant the Burundi Tourism Promotion and Development Agency the right to use the submitted images for promotional purposes, without additional compensation.
How to Vote: A selection of the best photos will be submitted to the public for online voting. The public votes will be combined with the jury’s scores to determine the winners.
2024 Edition
Theme: Burundi through the lens of the traveler
This year, the competition will also include promotional reels (short videos often posted on Instagram). The addition of this category aims to follow current social media trends, where videos allow for a more immersive and lively experience than simple photos.
Participants in the photo competition will be invited to take part in this event where the winners will be rewarded during the closing gala dinner.
Join us now and show us the beauty of Burundi!
To participate, register on our platforms and don’t forget to tag us on Twitter: @visit_burundi.
Subscribe to our newsletter and get exlusive first minute updates straight into your inbox.
Burundi Tourism Week will also include a fam trip (familiarization trip) on December 13, 2024, in Mwaro province. This trip is an opportunity for tourism stakeholders, media and operators to discover up close the hidden treasures of this often overlooked province, which is rich in cultural and natural heritage.
Mwaro Province has many tourist sites that, despite their potential, are not yet fully developed. This fam trip aims to showcase these sites and raise public awareness of their heritage value and the tourism development opportunities they offer.
– Kwa Miganda-Karambi Eco-Cultural Heritage: Located on Rurtyazo hill, in Kayokwe commune, this eco-cultural site was created by Mrs. Niragira-Miganda Perpétue. It focuses on community development and the preservation of Burundi’s traditional knowledge, with great importance given to indigenous plants and ancestral knowledge.
Mpotsa Forest: Ancient cemetery of the queen mothers under the monarchy, located in Rusaka commune. This reserve is not only of interest to tourists, but also to university students who wish to explore the history and culture of Burundi.
Gasumo Falls on the Kayokwe River: A place associated with the ancient practice of Kubandwa, close to the capital of Mwaro province. Despite the lack of development, this site remains a symbol of traditional Burundian culture.
Urubugu of Nsoro and Jabwe: Located on Kiganda hill in Bisoro commune, this site has an important historical value and deserves to be highlighted.
Kaburungu Falls in Gisozi commune and the falls located at the confluence of the Waga and Kayokwe rivers in Nyabihanga commune: These falls offer magnificent landscapes Burundi Tourism Week will also include a fam trip (familiarization trip) on December 13, 2024, in Mwaro province. This trip is an opportunity for tourism stakeholders, media and operators to discover up close the hidden treasures of this often overlooked province but rich in cultural and natural heritage.
Mwaro Province has many tourist sites which, despite their potential, are not yet fully developed. This fam trip aims to showcase these sites and raise public awareness of their heritage value and the tourism development opportunities they offer.
– Kwa Miganda-Karambi Eco-Cultural Heritage: Located on Rurtyazo hill, in Kayokwe commune, this eco-cultural site was created by Mrs. Niragira-Miganda Perpétue. It focuses on community development and the preservation of Burundi’s traditional knowledge, with a strong emphasis on indigenous plants and ancestral knowledge.
Mpotsa Forest: An ancient cemetery of the queen mothers under the monarchy, located in Rusaka commune. This reserve is not only of interest to tourists, but also to university students who wish to explore the history and culture of Burundi.
Gasumo Falls on the Kayokwe River: A place associated with the ancient practice of Kubandwa, close to the provincial capital of Mwaro. Despite the lack of development, this site remains a symbol of traditional Burundian culture.
Urubugu of Nsoro and Jabwe: Located on Kiganda Hill in Bisoro commune, this site has significant historical value and deserves to be highlighted.
Kaburungu Falls in Gisozi commune and the falls located at the confluence of the Waga and Kayokwe rivers in Nyabihanga commune: These falls offer magnificent landscapes that could become major attractions if infrastructure were put in place.
Objectives of the Fam Trip:
Promotion and Awareness: Highlight the tourist sites of Mwaro to attract investments and encourage their development in order to develop local tourism.
Exchanges with Local Communities: Involve local communities in the promotion of their heritage, thus making them actors in tourism development.
Opportunities for Tourism Operators: Provide tour operators and travel agencies with a better knowledge of the destination so that they can include Mwaro in their tourist circuits.
Participate in this immersive journey and discover the wonders of Mwaro!
For more details and to register, follow us on @visit_burundi.
The first edition of the Restaurant & Coffee Shop Week in Burundi is a special culinary event that will take place during Tourism Week. This event is an opportunity to showcase the gastronomic richness of Burundi while offering residents and visitors the chance to discover the signature dishes of the best restaurants in the country at reduced prices.
2024 Edition:
During this week, participating restaurants and coffee shops will offer special fixed-price menus, with significant discounts for lunch, dinner, special drinks, or a combined package. This initiative aims to encourage Burundians and tourists to explore the different culinary offerings, while supporting local restaurateurs.
For this first edition, restaurants and coffee shops located outside of Bujumbura are also invited to participate, offering a unique opportunity to highlight the gastronomic diversity of all regions of Burundi. Each participating restaurant will be listed on our website, and discount coupons will be available in advance, in digital and physical versions, to maximize participation.
The best restaurants and coffee shops will be rewarded at the closing gala dinner, in recognition of their culinary excellence and contribution to the event. An independent jury will evaluate the participating establishments, based on the quality of the dishes, the originality and the experience offered to customers.
Join us to discover and celebrate Burundian cuisine!
For more information and to follow the latest news, follow us on @visit_burundi and be ready to discover unique flavors.
Burundi Tourism Week 2024 will also include an exhibition match on the morning of December 14 before the gala evening. This event, organized in partnership with a local sports federation, will highlight the importance of sport in promoting peace and tourism in Burundi.
This year’s theme is “Sport for Tourism,” highlighting the role that sport can play in bringing communities together, promoting Burundi’s image through sport, and strengthening sports tourism in the country. The exhibition match will be an opportunity to demonstrate how sport can contribute to peace, social cohesion, and economic prosperity.
Event Objectives:
Promotion of Sports Tourism: Use sport as a vehicle to attract visitors and promote Burundi as a destination of choice for sports tourism.
Visibility for Tourism and Sport: Highlight the positive image of Burundi by associating sport .
Contribution to Tourism: Bringing together local and international communities for a moment of sharing and solidarity, showing that sport is a powerful means of building peace.
Why Participate?
Networking Opportunities: The exhibition match will bring together personalities from the tourism sector, representatives of sports federations, as well as local and international stakeholders, creating an ideal networking opportunity.
Visibility for Sponsors: Partners of this event will benefit from increased visibility through the media and social networks, highlighting their support for the development of sport and tourism in Burundi.
Join us in celebrating tourism through sport!
For more information and to follow the latest news, follow us on @visit_burundi.
The Burundi Tourism Forum is a unique platform that will bring together tourism stakeholders, opinion leaders, investors and government representatives to discuss challenges, innovations and growth opportunities in the tourism industry in Burundi. This forum will be held on 11 and 12 December 2024 and will be a key component of the Burundi Tourism Week.
Theme: Leadership, Innovation and Challenges of Tourism in Burundi The forum will place a special focus on private sector stakeholders who have invested in tourism and hospitality in Burundi. These entrepreneurs will share their experiences on the challenges they face, including the lack of a legal framework and specific laws for the tourism sector, financial challenges, difficulties in accessing infrastructure, and the lack of institutional support.
Objectives of the Forum: Identify Challenges: Highlight the main challenges faced by investors in the tourism sector, including legal and administrative issues.
Promoting Innovation and Leadership: Encourages innovation and creativity in the tourism industry in Burundi by sharing inspiring case studies.
Establishing a Legal Framework for Tourism: Initiate discussions on the need to establish a legal framework and clear policies for the tourism sector, in collaboration with government institutions.
Strengthening Cooperation: Create a constructive dialogue between the private sector, local authorities, and potential investors to strengthen cooperation and support for the tourism industry.
Forum Activities:
Topics and Panels:
Burundi’s Macroeconomic Growth Path: Burundi from where to where with a Burundian economic perspective.
The role of conservation in ensuring sustainable tourism development: African Best Practices, Lessons Learned and Implications for Rural Tourism Development in Burundi.
Tourism and Green Investment: Where Does Burundi Fit in?
The Role of Infrastructure in Tourism Development.
Tourism Job Creation and Access to Finance: Financing tourism startups, global best practices and implications for Burundi.
Trends impacting the hospitality industry.
Events, sports, culture and arts.
Setting up a wildlife conservation system in Burundi.
Leveraging the Untapped Potential of MICE and Hospitality Sector: Developing Business Tourism and Improving Service Delivery.
Leveraging Digital Tourism Solutions to Innovate and Market Burundi Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges in the Framework of the Zone of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA).
Seminars and Conferences: Industry experts will share their perspectives on topics such as leadership, innovation, and sustainability in the tourism sector.
Investor Roundtables: The Investors and operators will share their challenges and discuss opportunities for collaboration and support.
Networking: Networking sessions will be organized to foster exchanges between participants, government representatives, and private sector stakeholders.
Participate and Advance the Tourism in Burundi!
This forum is an exceptional opportunity to participate in shaping the future of tourism in Burundi. Join us to discuss how to overcome obstacles and leverage opportunities to make Burundi a leading tourism destination.
For more information, follow us on @visit_burundi.
The Burundi Tourism Week exhibition will be a key platform to connect potential exhibitors, whether local, regional or international, with potential customers. This event will create meaningful business connections in the tourism and hospitality sector.
This year, the exhibition will run for four days, providing exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase and showcase products and services along the tourism and hospitality value chain. It will also include entertainment activities, including traditional games and cultural performances.
The exhibition will attract local, regional and international tourism and hospitality operators, as well as conservation institutions from around the world. The stands will be manned by representatives from Burundi, the East African region, as well as international participants.
In addition, there will be coffee stations located at the centre of the exhibition to encourage exchanges and networking among guests. Live art competitions such as painting and sculpture will also be held, providing galleries with the opportunity to showcase their unique creations.
Traditional games and cultural dances will be on the program to attract the public, especially after working hours, creating an environment conducive to discovering and celebrating Burundian culture.
Join us in celebrating the rich tourism and hospitality sector in Burundi!
For more details and to follow the latest updates, follow us on @visit_burundi.
The Burundi Tourism Week Gala Ceremony will be the highlight of this edition. The gala dinner aims to celebrate the achievements and reward the outstanding contributions of key players in the tourism industry in Burundi.
Event Schedule:
Fashion Show: A mini fashion presentation highlighting the innovation of local and regional clothing brands. This event is organized to promote and inspire women, as well as young talents in the creative and fashion sector, to showcase authentic designs and promote the Burundian creative industry.
Why participate in the fashion show?
Brand Visibility: Make your brand known to a wide audience.
Networking: Networking opportunity with professionals in the fashion industry.
Inspiration: Create more pieces by receiving a certificate of recognition.
Business Opportunities: Create business and collaborative opportunities.
Tourism Awards: The Burundi Tourism Awards will be presented during the evening to celebrate outstanding achievements and encourage tourism operators to improve their excellence and quality of services.
Best Tourism Operator.
Best Hotel/Accommodation.
Best Restaurant.
Outstanding Contribution to Conservation.
Tourism Innovator of the Year.
Tourism and Hospitality University of the Year.
Best General Exhibitor.
Best Foreign Exhibitor.
Best Cafe of the Year.
Best Conference and Event Venue.
Best Travel Agency of the Year.
Best Female Tour Guide.
Best Tour Guide.
Best Tour Operator.
Best Female Tour Operator.
Vacation Resort of the Year.
Luxury Lodge of the Year.
Boutique Hotel of the Year.
Community Tourism Initiative of the Year.
This year, the gala dinner will also include activities such as
wine tastings during the welcome cocktail, live art demonstrations and traditional dance performances, providing an artistic and festive setting for networking.
Dress Code: Formal evening wear.
Join us to celebrate the successes of Burundi’s tourism industry and discover local talent through fashion and the arts!
For more details, follow us on @visit_burundi.
The Burundi Tourism Week Gala Ceremony will be the highlight of this edition. The gala dinner aims to celebrate the achievements and reward the outstanding contributions of key players in the tourism industry in Burundi.
Event Schedule:
Fashion Show: A mini fashion presentation highlighting the innovation of local and regional clothing brands. This event is organized to promote and inspire women, as well as young talents in the creative and fashion sector, to showcase authentic designs and promote the Burundian creative industry.
Why participate in the fashion show?
Brand Visibility: Make your brand known to a wide audience.
Networking: Networking opportunity with professionals in the fashion industry.
Inspiration: Create more pieces by receiving a certificate of recognition.
Business Opportunities: Create business and collaborative opportunities.
Tourism Awards: The Burundi Tourism Awards will be presented during the evening to celebrate outstanding achievements and encourage tourism operators to improve their excellence and quality of services.
Best Tourism Operator.
Best Hotel/Accommodation.
Best Restaurant.
Outstanding Contribution to Conservation.
Tourism Innovator of the Year.
Tourism and Hospitality University of the Year.
Best General Exhibitor.
Best Foreign Exhibitor.
Best Cafe of the Year.
Best Conference and Event Venue.
Best Travel Agency of the Year.
Best Female Tour Guide.
Best Tour Guide.
Best Tour Operator.
Best Female Tour Operator.
Vacation Resort of the Year.
Luxury Lodge of the Year.
Boutique Hotel of the Year.
Community Tourism Initiative of the Year.
This year, the gala ceremony will also include activities such as
wine tastings during the welcome cocktail, live art demonstrations and traditional dance performances, providing an artistic and festive setting for networking.
Dress Code: Formal evening wear.
Join us to celebrate the successes of Burundi’s tourism industry and discover local talent through fashion and the arts!
For more details, follow us on @visit_burundi.