The 136th Turning Pages book club session was hosted by Royal Crown Hotel in Kimironko Sector, Gasabo District. It was a hybrid gathering, with two participants seated around the table and the rest joining via Zoom, bringing together a small but diverse group of eight participants, including tour operators, students, and entrepreneurs from different industries.
At the center of the conversation was Weekend Getaway: Realm Beach Resort, a publication from the Weekend Getaway series. The publication is an extension of my quiet escapes, where personal experiences meet the packages offered by the hosts. The discussion unfolded in a relaxed setting over coffee, with ideas flowing as naturally as the conversation itself.
As the discussion progressed, we kept returning to a simple but often overlooked truth: the value of a weekend well spent. Time away was viewed not as an indulgence, but as an opportunity to reset and recharge. One participant humorously reflected on the amount of money spent in Kigali's nightclubs, only to admit that, in hindsight, those experiences rarely matched the value of a peaceful retreat by the lake. The comment sparked a broader conversation about how we prioritize leisure and whether we are truly investing in experiences that restore us.
The discussion then shifted toward opportunities within the tourism industry. Participants explored the idea of being more intentional about organizing retreats, team-building getaways, family escapes, and even social clubs built around travel. Places such as Realm Beach Resort were seen not only as destinations but also as opportunities waiting to be explored in new ways. The tour operators in attendance quickly recognized the potential. Beyond the story itself, they saw a product that could be packaged, promoted, and sold. By the end of the session, plans were already taking shape for a familiarization visit.
The conversation concluded with an appreciation of Rwanda's beauty and a reminder that these destinations are not reserved for international visitors alone. They are available for all of us to experience. The only question is whether we choose to make the journey.
Before signing off, I gave the virtual participants a brief tour of Royal Crown Hotel, bringing the session full circle, from the pages of a weekend escape to the venue that had just hosted our conversation.