EABW REPORTER

KIGALI, RWANDA- With thousands of people from the region and the rest of the world expected to attend the 7th Edition of the Pan African Dance Festival, FESPAD 2010, Rwanda says will market its rich cultural heritage.

The week-long festivals which started on Saturday, will attract dance troupes from several countries including from East African Community (EAC) and the rest of the world.

By promoting the rich Rwandan cultural heritage, planners at Rwanda Development Board hope the country shall attract both investors and tourists.

Rwanda Development Board managers say, "Rwanda's traditional dances and dress are world class, and our museums have a powerful story to tell." "

Culture is critical to Rwanda," John Gara, Chief Executive Officer Rwanda Development Board (RDB), said during a briefing of journalists about preparations of the festival recently that culture can attract tourism. It is believed the country can cut itself a niche in the region by aggressively promoting its arts and culture.

With such potential, Rwanda has intensified its campaign of promoting cultural tourism targeting to become a "world cultural destination." But it is also part of diversifying tourist attractions in the country by offering a variety to visitors.

Ms Rica Rwigamba, head of tourism and conservation, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) says, the country could earn US$31m from cultural tourism between 2010 and 2015.

RDB came up with this figure, hoping, tourists who have been spending few days tracking gorillas will stay longer in Rwanda and spend more money on the country's cultural attractions. To prepare the country for the untapped cultural tourism, a series of regional music and dance classes have been organised. RDB, says anybody interested in dancing the local and hip hop music will be trained.

Rwigamba says after selections, the local dance troupes will join other artists form the rest of the world at Amahoro stadium during the national celebrations. Gara said they will use the celebrations to show case Rwanda's rich culture.

He said Rwandans are also expected to learn and appreciated other cultures during the week. Organisers of the event say it is a platform for encounters, exchange of experiences and development of African cultures in their diversity through traditional dances.

In East African Community, alone, "At least 15 dance troupes from different were invited," Rwigamba revealed.

By press time Egypt, Swaziland, Gabon, Congo Brazaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Uganda, Madagascar, France, Germany, China and Namibia had confirmed participation.