I worked in a beautiful Rwanda Hotel

Recently, I worked in a beautiful Rwanda Hotel. To share my experience, I will have to take you back to 2015. I was in Dubai, vacationing with my parents. We had all gathered in the all-day diner of the hotel we were staying in, the Marriott Al Jaddaf. Breakfast with family is always special as they lead to something meaningful. At the time, we were the only guests at the hotel. The hostess walked to us and, with a welcoming gesture, got us seated. With curiosity, I asked her about her background and her work experience in Dubai. It turned out that the lady was from Kigali, Rwanda. Though she liked working in Dubai, she was determined to return to her nostalgic country.

In no time, I was researching more about the country on Wikipedia. Impressed by what I found about the country, I nonchalantly; told her that my next work experience, will be at a Rwanda hotel. Interestingly, I had no job offer from Kigali at hand or did I know anyone who could set me up. My family quietly observed all these conversations but reserved their comments for whatever reasons.

Image Source: Pixabay

My Rwanda Hotel Story

A few months later, I saw a tempting sales leadership position at the Kigali Marriott Hotel and, I decided to apply. Guess what happened next? I was on a plane to Kigali just like that! As I landed, I was super impressed with the cleanliness of their roads and the warmth of the people. The Land of the Thousand Hills, as fondly known by the world, Rwanda had streams of fresh air, thanks to the greenery all around. I would not have asked for a better country to start my African experience. Also, what I loved was that the elevation of the land made it more scenic at night. You could see the stars shining in their complete glory.

At the Rwanda hotel, my job was to create a solid sales team and bolster the position; of the property. The hotel still had not opened to the public and, we were working round the clock to make it happen. It had spacious rooms, many meeting rooms and one of the best hotel lobbies in the country.  The proof of this is right here in the picture below of my team and me. I can proudly say that I managed seventeen plus intelligent and young professionals.  

Leading the sales and marketing efforts of the Rwanda hotel had been a challenge and an endearing experience. I was able to convince the resident ex-pats to consider bringing more regional meetings to the country. After all, Rwanda is on its way to becoming a hub of the East African region. New companies are more eager and open to establishing their presence in the country. The security arrangements are rock-solid and, you can easily spot the hard-working policemen patrolling the roads and busy intersections of the capital. It gives more assurance to the newcomers that Rwanda means business. 

Image Credits – Left (my team) Right (My mobile cam)

Rwanda Hotel Industry is Supported by the Government Initiatives

Rwanda has created an institutional body called Rwanda Development Board that promotes the country and showcases it on the world map. In terms of activities, there is too much buzz from the non-profit organizations of the world. If you can think of a prominent NGO, then it has a presence in Rwanda! Their work in health and the environment is commendable. Did I mention that all the major UN bodies have an office in Rwanda? I have been lucky to not only visit these bodies but also interact with their directors.

Another notable government initiative is Gorilla preservation. They even have a Gorilla naming ceremony called Kwita Izina (literally means to name someone). The event takes place each year around September and attended by hundreds and thousands. I did get an opportunity to join the annual festivities in a local place called Virunga. These baby Gorillas are a habitat of the much celebrated Volcanoes National Park.

Conclusion

To conclude, my Rwanda hotel experience has taught me new ways to deal with people. I have learnt to appreciate the difference in perspectives and opinions. Most importantly, I have learnt that as long we are open-minded, there is nothing and, no one can stop us from achieving our goals. I wish I can go back to the country for a few days to relive the moments. Or maybe, visit those places I did not have a chance to, during my time as an ex-pat.

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