For the third time running, Rwanda won the Best African Exhibitor Award at the annual International Tourism Trade Fair in Berlin (ITB Berlin) last week.

The principal deputy CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) told The New Times it was yet another achievement by the country’s tourism industry.

"This means a great deal for us to win this award for the third time in a row, especially now when most affected by the financial woes are reviewing their strategies to revamp the industry," said  Gatare.

Tourism is Rwanda’s top earner, and brought in about US$214 million in 2008.

ITB Berlin is the leading travel trade show where companies and countries exhibit their products and services, and also discuss future market strategies.

81 exhibitors from 34 countries represented Africa in the tourism fair which attracted over 11,600 exhibitors.

Namibia received the second prize while Kenya was third.