Hailing from Tokyo, Takako Sakai has an extensive background in tourism-related roles, having previously worked with Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Hawaii Tourism Japan and Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB). Currently serving as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (2022, Feb 16th ~ 2024, Feb 15th), Sakai contributes to Zlatibor Tourism Organization, a mountain resort […]

Yusuke Sugimura, a native of Tokyo, Japan, has dedicated five and a half years of his professional career to fostering tourism and supporting local economies. Working as a municipal employee in the Industrial Promotion Division of Chofu City Office in Tokyo, Sugimura spearheaded projects related to tourism promotion and regional economic development. Sugimura’s current mission […]

In the heart of Africa, nestled among lush hills and green landscapes, lies the enchanting destination of Red Rocks Rwanda. This vibrant land gestures travellers who are passionate explorer eager to research into its unique cultural tapestry. At Red Rocks intercultural centre, where traditional dance performances and art exhibitions showcased the richness of Rwandan heritage, […]

Red Rocks Rwanda is a social enterprise that is all about the community, wildlife, tourism & travel thus promoting sustainable tourism through community and cultural programs. Their pioneering cultural tourism scheme involves developing the community and promoting conservation through tourism. The eco-tours, Amahoro Tours, offer customized travel itineraries around Rwanda and bring under-served communities into […]

Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization based in Musanze, Rwanda, dedicated to fostering positive change and sustainable development within local communities. We are seeking donors, sponsors, and grants to enhance our facilities and expand our impactful programs, including Balister coffee skills training, bakery skills and sugarcane juice making, culinary art programs […]

In the city of Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, a group led by a DMO is making efforts for active use of traditional townhouses (machiya) and old private houses that are historical resources but had become unoccupied. They transformed these into Nipponia Hotel Ozu Castle Town, and thereby assisted the revitalization of vacant housing in the city’s […]

Kudaka Island in Okinawa Prefecture, an island with a population of only 200 people, was experiencing a variety of problems due to the approximately 60,000 tourists who visit the island annually. In addition, as more and more young people wanted to return to the island, the lack of jobs and housing on the island was […]

Greg Bakunzi is a renowned pioneer and trailblazer in community-based tourism in East Africa. He grew up under extremely challenging conditions in a Ugandan refugee camp and had only little access to formal education. In 1998, once peace was slowly returning to the region after the 1994 genocide, he decided to follow his heart and […]

David McGowan, Ravenswood Media, and Greg Bakunzi- Red Rocks Initiative, have partnered together to build a media training center in Musanze, Rwanda at the foot of the Volcanoes National Park. McGowan, an Academy Award nominated filmmaker, coming together with the team at Red Rocks to provides basic filmmaking training. The course is free and the […]

Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization that operates and around Virunga volcano mountain region of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic. Its vision is to integrate tourism, conservation and community empowerment for sustainable development in the region. In order achieve this, the communities around the region are encouraged to take part […]