What began as an idea to bring communities closer to tourism opportunities grew into a movement of hope, culture, learning, and collaboration.

The first edition of the Community Tourism Fair 2026, hosted by Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development in Rwanda, exceeded expectations and demonstrated the growing global interest in tourism that creates positive impact for people, culture, and nature. From the very first moments of the event, the atmosphere reflected something powerful: local communities standing alongside tourism professionals, conservation practitioners, development partners, youth leaders, women entrepreneurs, cultural performers, and international participants, all sharing one common vision: ensuring tourism benefits reach the people who protect and preserve destinations.

In his opening remarks, Founder Greg Bakunzi described the Fair not as a one-time event, but as the beginning of a much longer journey. He emphasized that the Community Tourism Fair is envisioned to grow beyond Rwanda and become a platform for advancing community-based tourism across the region and eventually the African continent — creating stronger partnerships between communities, conservation actors, policymakers, and tourism stakeholders.

Over three days, participants engaged in plenary discussions, thematic workshops, community exhibitions, and presentations delivered by speakers and practitioners from different parts of the world. Knowledge and experiences were shared openly, and practical solutions were explored together.
The sessions highlighted how community-based tourism can contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goals through:
* Creating local employment and economic opportunities
* Strengthening biodiversity conservation
* Preserving cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge
* Supporting youth and women entrepreneurship
* Building resilient and inclusive tourism economies