In 1994, as genocidal violence swept Rwanda, a four-star hotel in the capital, Kigali, became a sanctuary.

That hotel, the Mille Collines, is now known around the world as a symbol of hope, thanks to the 2005 film, Hotel Rwanda, which told the incredible story of how its then-manager Paul Rusesabagina, risked his life to save around 700 people, mainly Tutsis, who had taken refuge there from the Hutu militias outside the gates.

Little remains to suggest the terrible ordeal of those 100 days when up to 10 people shared a room, and the swimming pool was their only source of water.

Once again, guests can dine at the hotel's terrace, overlooking the leafy capital.

"Yes, the hotel attracts people who are curious to see where the events portrayed in the film happened," says General Manager Patrick Knipping, who took over when the hotel was sold last year to Mikcor Hotel Group by Sabena Hotels for US$3.2 million. Sabena Airlines sold the hotel after going bankrupt and ending flights to Rwanda.

"We have 112 rooms and we offer all the international facilities you would expect. We try to ensure that the hotel is very welcoming. We are centrally located in the city and have become the meeting place of Kigali. Our executive chef is from Belgium and offers international cuisine. We have well-equipped meeting and conference rooms, as well as all the facilities of a world-class hotel such as a fully equipped business centre (after renovation) and of course fitness and health facilities," explains Knipping.

A full renovation of the 112-room hotel is planned for this winter and will increase the number of suites and further improve the quality of the rooms.

As one of the country's premier hotels and due to its strong reputation, the Mille Collines could play an important part in rebuilding Rwanda's tourism industry. Shortly after it took over, the new management held a five-day tour in the country to study the tourism potential of the country in conjunction with a local tourism firm.

Mikcor Hotel Group is set to inject about US$770 million in the country, targeting tourism through hotels, construction of estates in Nyarutarama, and the banking sector.

Mikcor has a chain of investments in South Africa involved in prospecting oil, communication, power line connection (broadband) and real estate.

Sabena said at the time of purchase that none of the staff would be fired. "I would rather lose my life than see the people here lose their jobs," said Christian Van Buggenhout, president of the trustees administering the bankrupt airline.

Another film set in the hotel is now being made based on Canadian writer Gil Courtemanche's novel A Sunday by the Pool in Kigali, which tells the story of a foreign journalist's relationship with a Tutsi waitress.

(China Daily 10/13/2006 page17)