Tens of thousands of clients that have been to the facility suitably called Rusizi Progress Hotel a house of ambience and stress reliever. The 2-STAR hotel provides the basic recreational services ranging from sauna and massage, nightclub to a bar and modern gardens.
Rusizi Progress Hotel derives its uniqueness from the vantage location. Opening doors in 2017, it’s situated right in the heart of Rusizi city and in close proximity with sources to highly demanded services. Banks and Kamembe Airport are just located within the hotel’s vicinity.
This airport serves Rusizi city with at least 11flights a week. In essence, this qualifies the hotel to be near Kigali and more convenient to all esteemed customers since it does not suffer from transport barrier.
Mr. Alphonse Ndayambaje, the Manager of the Rusizi Progress Hotel is optimistic that the hotel will sooner than later aspire for either a 3-STAR or 4-STAR status. To this effect, he extends gratitude to Rwanda’s investment body (RDB) for the undying support and guidance on the requirements the hotel needs to move to the next level.
“Today, Rusizi Progress Hotel is a 2-STAR hotel, but we are itching to become either a 3-STAR or 4-STAR hotel as soon as we fulfill the minimum requirements including construction of a swimming pool,” observed Ndayambaje.
Mr. Alphonse Ndayambaje, the Manager of the Rusizi Progress Hotel
Milestones
Nonetheless, Ndayambaje is happy for the milestones recorded within just a space of five years. Rusizi Progress Hotel boasts of a variety of critical services that induce a smile and great sense of gratification, relaxation and refreshment.
The facility was previously occupied by the defunct Ten-to-Ten hotel from the early 2000s boasts of luxurious and up-to-date accommodation with 30 standard furnished rooms and fast Wi-Fi.
In addition, the hotel manages three conference rooms each with a different capacity. The conference rooms hosts guests ranging from 35 people, 60 people and a multipurpose room with a capacity of hosting 200 guests. This one is instrumental to hosting events and functions such as wedding ceremonies, meetings and conferences regional or otherwise.
The serene environment that is augmented by the presence of modern gardens is another factor that no visitor can miss to notice and appreciate. Ndayambaje says that the gardens of Rusizi Progress Hotel have the capacity of between 800-1000 people and conveniently hosts weddings since it can accommodate big tents.
What makes this hotel unique is the presence of the state-of-the-art nightclub that has won it name for its high quality entertainment of lovers of nightclub services of all ages and economic status including travelers and young people.
The hotel, also, offers sauna and massage services and clients through feedback available on social media platforms appreciate the services of the hotel, a reason why they find visiting the hotel as worth of their monies. They go with fatigue and stress and leave stress-free and rejuvenated, particularly after quality hours of sauna and massage.
The management of the hotel pay tribute to their esteemed clients for the support they show by opting for their services. They say the government, which is their principal client, deserves special mention.
Other regular clients include NGOs and corporate companies, Ndayambaje adds that members of the general public also seek different services from the hotel.
Relevance of the hotel
The Manager disclosed to Rwanda Dispatch Magazine team that the hotel gives first priority to the residents of the area when it comes to staff recruitment. To the effect, he revealed that at least 80% of the staff are residents of the district.
He added that the hotel regularly and timely pays taxes to local authorities and thus its presence in the area translates in increased revenues of the district through taxation.
Rusizi District is one of the most vibrant tourist destinations in the country located in a region that serves as a convergence of three East African nations – Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
This implies that tourists to those three countries can visit the hotel for relaxation and refreshment.
Secondly, the region is endowed with rare natural geographical features such as Nyungwe Nature Forest and Cyamudongo forest that is home to many wild animals that tourists wish to view.
Home to hot springs and the oldest cement processing plant in the country are located in the district. Ndayambaje, therefore, encourages visitors to these phenomena to visit the hotel whenever they are on a tourism adventure in this region.
The region is endowed with the largest lake in Rwanda, Lake Kivu which also offers fascinating views including many small islands. Relatedly, they have traditional dances known locally as ‘gusama’ provided by the inhabitants of Nkombo Island.
Agricultural tourism based particularly on coffee and tea is a big potential in this region.
However, Ndayambaje decried the dwindling number of visitors and attributed it to global economic challenges linked to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and the Russia-Ukraine crisis that have had an impact on traveling.
