Arsenal has signed a partnership agreement with National Geographic to “highlight the tourism opportunities that our official partner, Visit Rwanda, has to offer.”
The deal will run until 2021 and has already seen photographer Charlie Hamilton James and travel writer Heather Greenwood Davis visit the country to ‘create stories and capture pictures for the campaign’.
The commitment of Rwandans to the country’s success is palpable and inspiring—much of it fueled by young people intent on molding their past into a future that is both competitive and proud #sponsored @visitrwanda_now https://t.co/e2s6zXZqYH
— Nat Geo Travel (@NatGeoTravel) April 29, 2019
If you haven’t been to Rwanda – I recommend you think about it. A stunning country- https://t.co/ugOjHPGq4N
— CharlieHamiltonJames (@chamiltonjames) April 30, 2019
“We are extremely excited to work with National Geographic Partners to showcase the unique opportunities that Rwanda has to offer,” Arsenal’s commercial director Peter Silverstone said.
“For over 130 years, National Geographic has been inspiring millions of people all over the world through groundbreaking storytelling from the best and brightest scientists, explorers and photographers. This new partnership will provide the perfect platform to share Rwanda’s story, and the incredible experiences the country offers.”
Chief tourism officer of the Rwanda Development Board, Belise Kariza, added: “Rwanda is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and we are excited about sharing our story and rich natural heritage with the global National Geographic community.
“The Visit Rwanda partnership with Arsenal Football Club and the creation of this new platform will inspire more travellers and adventurers to look to Rwanda as their top travel destination. We look forward to welcoming them.”
Since signing a sleeve sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda that caused a lot of controversy, the club have also agreed a deal with a beer company in the country.
Arsenal have also sent dignitaries to take part in the annual gorilla-naming ceremony and coaches to run coaching clinics.
Leaving aside the benefits to Rwanda, real or perceived, that come from the deal, there has been a lot of talk about Arsenal’s sleeve sponsorship deal with the country yet the moral outrage from some journalists that greeted news of the arrangement has been conspicuously lacking in relation to deals with the likes of Emirates, Etihad, or Roman Abramovich.
Even Stan Kroenke receives little-to-no criticism for his business dealings despite how hated he is in parts of America.