Rwanda’s annual event commonly known as “Kiwita Izina” dedicated to give names to baby gorillas has been awarded third prize by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for innovation and application of knowledge in tourism, Xinhua news agency reported.
The award presentation ceremony took place in Madrid, Spain this week where Rwanda was recognised for its efforts in innovative, community focused and sustainable tourism through protecting endangered species at the Virunga national park located some 130 km from Kigali.
The 160,000-hectare Volcano National Park is located alongside the border with Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Since the Kwita Izina ceremony was launched in 2005, at least 173 baby gorillas from various families of the species from specific zones have been named.
Since 2003, the UNWTO Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Tourism have honoured tourism initiatives that contribute to advanced tourism through knowledge
