Rwanda and EPL side Arsenal FC have entered into a three year partnership as a way to promote the country to the rest of the world and specifically the country’s tourism industry.
This was announced on the official Arsenal FC website and confirmed in a statement by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) through its subsidiary, the Rwanda Convention Bureau that Rwanda had became the club’s first official sleeve partner as part of Rwanda’s drive to become a leading global tourist destination, using ‘Visit Rwanda’ messaging.
The company logo will feature on the left sleeve of the shirts for all the club’s teams from next season.
This comes in before the club’s newly recruited boss, Unai Emery is hoping for funds to transform the side that has failed to reach the Champions League two years running. He is understood to have been handed a £50m transfer budge but can increase it with player sales and the new sponsorship deal is likely to increase revenue for other areas.
The Chief commercial officer of the club, Vinai Venkatesham, said that it is an exciting partnership which will see us support Rwanda’s ambition to build their tourism industry.
“The country has been transformed in recent years and Arsenal’s huge following will bring Rwanda into people’s minds in a new and dynamic way. The Arsenal shirt is seen 35 million times a day globally and we are one of the most viewed teams around the world. We look forward to working with the ‘Visit Rwanda’ team to further establish the country as a leading tourist destination.” He said.
To the Rwandan side, the country’s Development Board chief executive officer, Clare Akamanzi, said that they are thrilled to be partnering with Arsenal and showcasing the vibrancy and beauty of the country.
“Visit Rwanda and discover why we are the second fastest growing economy in Africa. Investors in Rwanda are able to register their businesses in only six hours and prepare to enjoy the opportunities accrued from the free trade agreements that we’ve signed with over 50 countries. Renowned for our incredible and unique mountain gorilla tracking experience, tourists can also enjoy a variety of water sports, cycling, hiking, bird watching to list a few of the tourist attractions available while in Rwanda.”
This has marked a great achievement for the country with such a diminutive size and population.
Rwanda is one of the fast rising tourism destinations in Africa. The country benefits earns a lot from gorilla tourism in the Volcanoes National Park, the magnet that attracts most tourists to Rwanda. Every year thousands of tourists go gorilla trekking in the Rwandan Volcanoes, track chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park and enjoy classic game drives in Akagera National Park.
Visit Rwanda reports that the Arsenal shirt is seen 35 million times a day globally and thus a great chance to drive Rwanda’s tourism and investiment potentials.
Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Vinai Venkatesham, said: “This is an exciting partnership which will see us support Rwanda’s ambition to build their tourism industry. The country has been transformed in recent years and Arsenal’s huge following will bring Rwanda into people’s minds in a new and dynamic way.”