Virtual Tourism In Rwanda To Generate International Revenues Tourism Essay Essay Example

Virtual Tourism In Rwanda To Generate International Revenues Tourism Essay Essay Example Virtual Tourism In Rwanda To Generate International Revenues Tourism Essay Essay Virtual Tourism In Rwanda To Generate International Revenues Tourism Essay Essay Nyungwe Forest National Park and the Akagera National Park before going to Rwanda, the practical touristry can be besides used by research workers who are interested by endangered species like Gorilla and make occupations for local research workers. The eTourism Portal will supply relevant information about the Rwanda Tourism industry, advancing Rwanda best tourer finishs topographic points and supply online services like booking and on-line payment for hotels every bit good as on-line payment of local merchandises like handicrafts utilizing recognition card ( Visa, Paypal, aˆÂ ¦.. ) . This paper will exemplify how by implementing a practical touristry and etourism in Rwanda this solution will supply export income for Rwanda. CHAPITRE I. OBSTACLE TO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN RWANDA. Geography and Economy of Rwanda Rwanda is a landlocked democracy in Equatorial Africa, situated on the eastern rim of the Albertine Rift, a western arm of the Great Rift Valley, on the watershed between Africa s two largest river systems: the Nile and the Congo. Much of the state s 26,338 km2 is imposingly cragged, the highest extremum being Karisimbi ( 4,507m ) in the volcanic Virunga concatenation protected by the Volcanoes National Park.[ 4 ]Rwanda besides is known as the most dumbly populated state in Africa ; is landlocked ; and has few natural resources and minimum industry. In 2008, the GDP was estimated at $ 4. 45 billion, the GDP growing rate was 11.2 % and the mean rising prices GDP deflator was 17.4 % .The agribusiness ( forestry, hunting, and fishing, every bit good as cultivation of harvests and livestock production ) composed 37.4 % % of GDP, industry 14.1 % of GDP and exports of goods and services 14.1 % of GDP. In 2008 the High-technology exports was $ 1.01 billion.[ 5 ] Rwanda National Parks and Main attractive forces Akagera National Park ( ANP ) The Akagera National Park was created in 1934 and is located in the Eastern Province near the Nyagatare town. The ANP offers a scope of wildlife, such as elephants, Hippo, camelopard, zebra, etc. The Volcanoes National Park ( VNP ) The VNP was created in 1925 as Albert National Park and its size is 12,500 hectares and is located in northern state near Musanze town ( former Ruhengeri ) . The part is best known for its mountain gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla beringei ) and the Karisoke Research Centre. The Virunga Volcanoes part includes about 425 square kilometres of wood and unfastened parkland straddling the boundary lines of Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC ( Democratic Republic of Congo ) , at an height of 2600-4500 metres.[ 6 ] Nyungwe Forest National Park ( NFNP ) The NFNP has been created in 1933 and have a big piece of land of mountain wood and is rich in biodiversity. The NFNP has 1,000 square kilometers across the olympian hills of southeast Rwanda, Nyungwe National Park is the largest block of mountain forest in East or Central Africa, and one of the most ancient, dating back to before the last Ice Age. The most of import ornithological site in Rwanda, Nyungwe harbours about 300 bird species of which two twelve are restricted to a smattering of mountain woods on the Albertine Rift[ 7 ] Forest Rwanda has two forest modesty which are the Gishwati and Mukura Forest Reserve . Gishwati Forest Reserve constituted about 280 s.q kilometer in the mid-1970s and contained populations of Pan troglodytess and aureate monkeys although the wood was reasonably degraded by many old ages of cowss crowding within the forest. Mukura Forest comprised merely about 20 square kilometres in the late seventiess[ 8 ]Mukura had besides been badly degraded, with merely about 8 square kilometres staying today. Lakes Rwanda has about 23 lakes but merely 5 chief lakes are best known as attractive and those are the Lake Kivu ( Western Province, near Rubavu town former Gisenyi ) which is well-known for its beautiful scenery and athleticss attractive forces and is used to link Rwanda to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lake Muhazi located in the Eastern Province and offering yachting, fishing and bird observation, Lake Bulera and Ruhondo are close to the gorilla-tracking centre which is Ruhengeri and Rusumo H2O falls ( Eastern Province ) , Vents Most of the Rwanda vents are nonextant and are located in northern-west and those are the undermentioned: Karisimbi with 4,507meters is inactive vent in the Virunga Mountains in the boundary line between the DRC and Rwanda. Bisoke ( 3,711meters ) is an is nonextant vent in the Virunga mountains and is located in the boundary line between the DRC and Rwanda but the acme is located in Rwanda. Sabyinyo ( 3,634meters ) besides known as nonextant vent is the Virunga mountains and marks the intersection of the boundary lines of the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda.Sabyinyo Volcano is the home ground of Mountain Gorilla. Gahinga ( 3,474meters ) is an nonextant vent in the Virunga mountains on the boundary line between Rwanda and Uganda. Muhabura ( 4,127m ) is an nonextant vent in the Virunga mountains on the boundary line between Rwanda and Uganda. Muhabura is the 3rd highest of the eight major mountains of the mountain scope, which is a portion of the East African Rift Valley The vents make a concatenation, which covers an country of 16000 hectares. Challenges faced by the Rwanda Tourism Industry Tourism is going one of the major sections of the Rwandan economic system. In 2009 appraisal indicate that the touristry industry straight employs 33,800 people, whereas the direct and indirect employment histories for 74,300 occupations.This represent merely 4.0 per centum of the entire employment little below the sub-Saharan African norm which is 4.6 % and good below the worldwide norm which is 7.6 % every bit good as in the part ( Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda ) . But we should observe that employment in the touristry ( direct and indirect ) , has grown by 2.8 per centum on norm over the last 10 old ages, compared to 3.4 per centum in Kenya, 2.5 per centum in Tanzania and2.4 per centum in Uganda[ 9 ]. Around the universe the touristry industry is fast emerging as the industry of the 21st century, with its significant parts to sustainable human development, including poorness relief, employment coevals, environmental regeneration and promotion of adult females. Tourism has besides become an instrument for the publicity of handcrafts, humanistic disciplines and the cultural heritage of state. Although these facts a figure of restraints remain for the farther development of the touristry industry in Rwanda and these are: Diggingss and hotels installations are non still plenty at cardinal touristry sites. Quality besides is variable and non harmonized ; monetary values are really high relation to tantamount quality in other East African states. Customer service is hapless and non consistent compared with neighbouring states. Public and private coaction is still weak in footings of information sharing for touristry Quality of the route is non good and need betterment in some touristic countries like the Nyungwe forest National Parks and no equal and dependable electricity countries Widespread poorness around Parkss and touristic sites and increasing force per unit area for agricultural land from a turning rural population. Net income accruing from the Parkss should be in relation to demands, and people desire single benefits and non merely corporate substructure suchs as H2O tanksaˆÂ ¦ . Absence of telecommunications substructures in bulk of the hotels that allow payment by recognition cards. No web presence or hapless quality of contents for many hotels and circuit operators We are anticipating more occupations to be created particularly for people in the touristry industry more tourer will see the state since the Rwanda will hold high visibleness. The application besides will decide of barriers faced by tourer like absence of information and on-line payment. CHAP 2. NECESSITE OF VIRTUAL TOURISM AND E-TOURISM FOR RWANDA Tourism and ICT Industries. It s clear that touristry is going presently the fastest emerging industries across the universe. It is primary service industry which means, it does nt bring forth goods except provides services to people from different categories. Tourism industry is a combination of assorted incorporate industries like nutrient, conveyance, adjustment, ICT industries etcaˆÂ ¦ . Possibly touristry is one such rare industry, which earns foreign exchange without exporting national wealth. ICT tools are powerful instrument in the execution of electronic concern ; it is an easy manner to propagate or pass on information without distance restriction, people around the universe can hold entree to the same information at the same clip. In the NICI Plan prepared by the GoR to implement its ICT4D policy the country of economic development within the context of easing the development of the Rwandan information and knowledge-based economic system and society, the GoR is committed to implementing touristry actions plans with the purposes to do Rwanda an attractive tourer finish every bit good as Empower and beef up the touristry sector via ICT tools. The intent of this paper is to suggest a selling proposal to develop and implement a practical touristry and eTourism solution for Rwanda industry participants to be able to run into international criterions and besides achieved the Government vision. Once this merchandise is implemented some merchandises ( handicrafts, Rwanda java, Rwanda tea, etcaˆÂ ¦ ) will be known from the web and can be exported outside and will bring forth income for citizens, private companies every bit good as authorities and besides the more tourer will be interested to see the state. Undertaking proprietor An maxim in undertaking direction circles is, If you do nt hold a undertaking title-holder, you do nt hold a undertaking. [ 10 ].For this undertaking a practical registered company which will let practical visit to Rwanda national Parkss every bit good as leting tourers to online engagement, telling and payment for hotels, air tickets or local materials like handicrafts from associations or individuals.. The company will hold the name of One ClicK Rwanda ( OCR ) . The company will follow Rwandan concern regulations and ordinances in footings of licence and revenue enhancements, the concern will be done over cyberspace through the World Wide Web ( WWW ) service where the targeted clients are from different parts of the universe. The proprietor will work closely with others stakeholders like Tours operators, air hoses and hotels etcaˆÂ ¦ Since these interact and trades with tourers on day-to-day footing. All stakeholders will hold entree to the system with different entree right. Dedicated discs infinites to the web waiter will be allowed to all stakeholders involved in the touristry industry to let them updated contents. It clear that donees will be all those people involved in the touristry sector and the Government. Market research and Target OCR Company will garner information from bing and possible clients utilizing site enrollment, online signifiers, and study to better understand the clients demands and demands. Since concern on the Internet is really complex ( clients with different civilizations, ages, high competition ) , the selling will be developed carefully by taking history all these parametric quantities. The purpose of this selling research will be to convert clients and retain them. Customers will be classify based on their socio-economic position, life style, household fortunes, gender etc..And statistics and records of the research should be quantitative and qualitative.. Customer behavior Many touristry Board establishments are non utilizing Virtual touristry and are still paper based when it be come to booking and payment. This is dearly-won and clip devouring for most of tourer and the chance for them to see Parkss, book and pay online will be assist them. Chapter Three: Selling STRATEGY AND MARKET ANALYISIS Since this is a new merchandise a strong trade name of One ClicK Rwanda will be an of import selling tool for the company. The development of trade name will get down one time is created and before full operation. Cultivating trade name fidelity among clients is the ultimate wages for successful sellers since clients are far less likely to be enticed to exchange to other trade names compared to non-loyal clients. Selling and stigmatization is all about allowing public know about the merchandise or services you are offering, and convert them utilize it or buy it. This will be possible if a good selling scheme and a good selling program are put in topographic point. Selling program A Solid selling scheme is the foundation of a well-written selling program. While One ClicK Rwanda will sell a IT merchandise a selling program for 5 old ages will be drafted. The selling proposed will be flexible to be able to accommodate it to market tendencies. The selling program should be clear, quantified, focussed, and realistic and agreed. For the first twelvemonth, every exclusion to it ( throughout the twelvemonth ) must be questioned ; and the lessons learned, will be incorporated in the following twelvemonth s planning ( updated ) . Stairss to accomplishing our aims To do this undertaking successful a joint coaction between the Government of Rwanda and different spouses will be needed. A Public-Private Partneship ( PPP ) will be initiated between the GoR and cardinal stakeholders involved in this undertaking. Others stairss needed to accomplish our aims will be: The direction will be assured by OCR Company. Build and advance the portal platform and do it available 24h /7 yearss Aggressive selling all over the universe utilizing Television, Radios Medias, spines etc to bing clients and potencies clients Construct a strong client attention within the portal utilizing different ways ( phone, electronic mail, forum, face-to-face if needed ) Stairss in marketing research procedure Customers occupy the cardinal of the selling research procedure. The aims are the cognition development and aid in determination devising. The Identifying and specifying the job Development of attack and methodological analysis Establish research design and scheme Data aggregation Performing informations analysis Reporting and presentation Market Analysis Existing market and possible rivals Virtual touristry and eTourism is improbably increasing all over the universe ; some establishments in the part and particularly in Kenya but the service is merely limited to see some images of best topographic points selected, some of them besides offer possibility of booking online to some hotels. Kenya: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Kenya/TravelGuide-Kenya.html Portal and web site for Kenya Tourism: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.magicalkenya.com/ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.tourism.go.ke/ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.visitkenya.com/guide/ Some enterprises in Tanzania: hypertext transfer protocol: //tanzaniatouristboard.com/ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ecotz.com/ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.tanzaniaodyssey.com/ Other enterprises for Uganda hypertext transfer protocol: //www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Uganda/Things_To_Do-Uganda-BR-1.html hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ugandatourism.org/ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.visituganda.com/ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ucota.or.ug/ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.kazingatours.com/ Rwanda is besides come oning for the on-line touristry. Except this enterprise there are besides some web sites and portals that provide information about Rwanda touristry and some of them are the undermentioned: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.rwanda-online.org/ hypertext transfer protocol: //www.rwandatourism.com/home.htm The above web sites and portals do nt supply incorporate services ( visit, engagement and payment ) . The proposed undertaking will include all those services. Environmental, Company and competition analysis Plague Analysis In order to happen out about possible Political, Economic, Social and Technological factors that can impact the execution of the practical touristry and eTourism the PEST analysis have been conducted. Political The current political environment of Rwanda is stable except our close neighbour the DRC Tax ordinances is clear and are publically from the Rwanda Revenue Authority web site ( some services are on-line ) . The ICT measures have been presented to the is now in the cabinet The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency has put in topographic point regulations on CT Applications, Cyber Security and Postal Service Economic Private establishments involved in the touristry are encompassing the usage of ICT but besides the GoR subsidise IT equipments. Rwanda Francs are stable and can be exchange with others foreign currencies ( English Pounds, Euro and US $ ) . On-line payment will be done utilizing those external currencies. No similar application have been made in the part except some tentative in Kenya and Tanzania. Our undertaking has no strong rivals we believe that by the clip such competition comes ; The rising prices rate of the Rwanda economic system in non high 10.5 % for 2007 and 17.4 % for 2008. Social The debut of the Virtual Tourism and eTourism will make more occupations chances and hike the Entrepreneurial spirit for Rwandans. The tendency of acquiring internet entree at place and purchasing online is developing in the World. Technology We except that the application will run into all the needed conditions needed for on-line minutess. No possible rivals in the part. No demand for funding for research. Changes in the engineering have changed the manner concerns operate i.e. Internet booking for tickets and vacations. No clip is allowed for fabricating adulthood and capacity Table 1: Pest Analysis SWOT analysis of the Virtual Tourism and the eTourism Before the execution of the practical touristry and the eTourism it s important to foreground the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats the merchandise. The below SWOT analysis will assist to clear up and summarize the cardinal issues and chances which will confront the practical touristry and the eTourism. The SWOT analysis will be use by the client to identified menaces before the execution and fix response and programs ready to antagonize them when they happen. Strengths Current authorities committedness to ICT and Widespread entree to basic telecom for citizens Good administration One of secure topographic point in the universe Ad of the Rwanda s beauty is cost effectual in comparison with conventional offline system. Low capital investing ( use of Open beginning package and will be hosted by the national informations centre ) More pick will supply to tourist. Rwanda is ranked among best reformists in making concern Failings Deficit of ICT professionals Geographic isolation A ; little size Lack of eCommerce Laws Transportation system of goods buy on-line ( handicraft ) can be expensive since Rwanda is landlocked state and this can impact the merchandise cost.t Integration with bing ICT applications used by different stakeholders can be a job ( data interoperability. ) Process managing many different computing machine systems with different applications is excessively complex. Possibility of Electricity deficit Opportunities Niche in countries such as e-tourism and eCommerce in direct selling Leverage on Rwanda s package development expertness Tomorrow tourer prefer to hold all information and virtually see the topographic point before going Menaces Hacker may try to assail the system. Rivals in the part can develop similar system before the launching Change direction issues in some hotels establishments Table 2: Swot Analysis Chapter IV: FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Fiscal analysis but besides referred to fiscal statement analysis or accounting analysis is the appraisal of the viability, stableness and profitableness of a concern, sub-business or undertaking.[ 11 ] It is estimated that the investing value to get down this undertaking of execution of practical touristry and eTourism will be for the ab initio five old ages from October 2010 to End of 2015. To asses the fiscal viability of our investing the undermentioned tools will be used: the net nowadays value, the wage back period and the internal rate of return. The fiscal feasibleness of our undertaking can be recognized used the undermentioned scheme: The Estimation of undertaking costs activities ( By Analyzing the undertaking investings costs and the undertaking operations and care ) Forecasting gross generated during the undertaking execution period ( the hard currency flow green goods by our company can be forecasted by interrupting down after-tax operating net incomes, the estimatedA capital outgo andA working capital needed ) . Fiscal Return on investing ( ROI ) of the undertaking ( this can be calculated by spliting net net incomes after revenue enhancements by entire assets. ) Premises The Return on investing ( ROI ) will be calculated for a period of 5 old ages get downing from January 2011 to stop of October 2015. The currency is the United States of America Dollar ( US $ ) freely exchangeable to Rwanda Francs Reference for exchange rates will be the National Bank of Rwanda The undertaking will be a Public Private Partnership ( PPP ) the authorities and the private sector will hold specific function in turn overing out the undertaking. Supply and direction contracts PPP theoretical account will be used. Tax duties will follow the Rwanda Revenue Authority regulations and ordinances for VAT are 18 % . Content for specific finishs topographic points ( hotels, Parkss ) are available and will be provided by proprietors. Hosting installations for the Virtual touristry and eTourism will be provided by the National Data Center within Rwanda Development Board at no cost. The undertaking Capital outgo ( CAPEX ) The entire capital investing is US $ 100,000 including the cost of planing advanced dynamic web site to back up online concern minutess, 4 computing machines, 2 digital cameras, one scanner, Office furniture s, 2 web developers will be hired, One graphic interior decorator and One Marketing specializer and 1 vehicle. Grosss coevals Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Gross Revenue ( US $ ) 85,000 100,000 130,600 185,500 235,000 Tax ( US $ ) 15,300 18,000 23,508 33,390 42,300 Net Gross ( US $ ) 69,700 82,000 107,092 152,110 192,700 Accumulative Net Gross ( US $ ) 69,700 151,700 258,792 410,902 603,602 Table 3: Grosss Generation Figure 1: Grosss Generation Net Present Value ( NPV ) The Net Present Value ( NPV ) of an investing ( undertaking ) is the difference between the amount of the discounted hard currency flows which are expected from the investing and the sum which is ab initio invested.[ 12 ]We are traveling to utilize a price reduction rate of 14 % for every twelvemonth. Cost Gross Sum Present Value Sum Present Value Now 100,000 100000.00 A A 2011 20000 17543.86 69,700 62,232.14 2012 7000 5386.27 82,000 65,369.9 2013 2000 1349.94 107,092 76,225.97 2014 A A 152,110.00 96,668.65 2015 A A 192,700 109,343.2 TotalA A 129,000 124,280.08 A 603,602 409,839.8 Table 4: Net Present Value The NPV for our undertaking will be 409,839.8-124,280.08 = US $ 284,978.76 Internal Rate of Return 3.1. Definition The internal rate of return ( IRR ) is a rate of return used in capital budgeting to step and compare the profitableness of investings[ 13 ]It s besides a price reduction rate that generates a nothing cyberspace present value for a set of approaching hard currency flows 3.2. Evaluation of IRR A set of the rates with different price reductions will be applied to the below tabular array to set up the rate of profitableness of the undertaking for a period of 5 old ages ( from 10-40 ) Discount rate ( % ) 10 15 20 25 30 NPV ( US $ ) 178535 129190.7 90086.68 58775.3 33465.34 Discount rate ( % ) 35 38 38.6901 39 40 NPV ( US $ ) 12828.31 2263.32 0.98 -995.75 4133.26 Table 5: Evaluation of IRR Figure 2: Discount Rate Based on the above graph our undertaking will hold the profitableness rate close to 40 % . Payback period The payback period will assist the direction to find how many months /year will take to retrieve the money invested in the Virtual Tourism and eTourism Project. The price reduction rate to be used besides here will be 14 % every bit good. The Payback Period represents the sum of clip that it takes for a Capital Budgeting undertaking to retrieve its initial cost. The usage of the Payback Period as a Capital Budgeting determination regulation specifies that all independent undertakings with a Payback Period less than a specified figure of old ages should be accepted.[ 14 ] A Cost Gross Accumulative Cash Flows A Sum Present Value Sum Present Value Now 100,000 100,000.00 A A -100,000 2011 20,000 17,543.86 69,700 61,140.3509 49,700 2012 7,000 5,386.27 82,000 63,096.3373 75,000 2013 2,000 1,349.94 107,092 72,284.0496 105,092 2014 A A 152,110.00 90,061.331 152,110 2015 A A 192,700 100082.342 192,700 A Total 129,000 124,280.08 603,602 386,664.41 474,602.1 Table 6: Payback Time period We can besides utilize the below payback expression is: cost of undertaking / one-year net gross = payback period Figure 3 Payback Period Based on the above diagram the payback period of this undertaking is 1.67 old ages ( One Year, 8 months and 1 Day ) Chapter VI: Decision AND RECOMMENDATIONS Decision The profession of selling, its theories, its patterns, and even the basic scientific disciplines that it draws on are determined by the tools at its disposal at any minute. When the tools alteration, the subject adjusts, sometimes rather profoundly and normally rather tardily.[ 15 ] The proposal to implement practical touristry and eTourism for the Government of Rwanda as discussed above in this paper is a feasible concern undertaking that can better the Rwanda touristry sector and generate income for the Government of Rwanda and its Citizens with minimum capital investing. It is clear that the Internet offers several installations and will be among the tools that can be used to pull tourers and investors from around the universe without incurring extortionate costs of transit, communicating and rental of office infinite for the GoRs touristry selling bureaus. This can be achieved if a good selling program and scheme is put in topographic point and implemented. The selling of this merchandise will be easy since there are no dearly-won disbursals like conveyance, door to door selling staff etc Channels to be used will change from TVs, Radio, Web site, Newspapers, spines to advertisement on air tickets etc. Recommendation For better execution of this undertaking the followers are my recommendations: Reviewing the selling schemes on regular footing: Tourism sellers need to be cognizant of electronic development and tendencies. The touristry sellers should be in a proactive and reactive place to be able to react to the market demand and the development of new channels of distribution e.g. new engineerings ( nomadic payment ) , new rivals in the market. Alternatively of merely waiting for clients to drop-in , the selling people should endeavor to make travel need for visitants i.e. the sector should be demand driven and non provide driven. Electronic mail and forum could be used to regularly update clients on specific offers, near to their gustatory sensations or old purchases Implement strong and efficient security mechanism to protect the system and users against possible hackers and on-line robbery The handiness of the service ( no electricity shortages, minimum web waiter cut down ) should be taken into history since we are aiming foreign markets, therefore the quality of service should run into international criterions. The integrating of bing systems should be taken into history to minimise the costs of developing new merchandises. The platform should stand for a one-stop shopping experience for the client.

Bananas Are Radioactive (So Are Many Ordinary Objects)

Bananas Are Radioactive (So Are Many Ordinary Objects) You may have read about everyday objects setting off radiation alarms at border crossings between the US and Canada and Mexico. Newsweek has an article describing how medical radiation treatments (e.g., bone scans) may lead to traveling delays when they trigger radiation sensors. When the sensors are tripped, border officials conduct more intensive inspections to make sure you arent carrying nuclear weapons. There are other ways to set off the alarms. Do you carry kitty litter in your car to help provide traction in icy weather or to absorb oil? Its slightly radioactive. Do you have tile or granite in your vehicle for a home improvement project? It has a relatively high radiation signature. Do you have a lot of bananas? They are also slightly radioactive. Key Takeaways: Bananas Are Radioactive Bananas are slightly radioactive due to the presence of a natural isotope of potassium. Potassium is a key mineral in the fruit.Many other common materials are also radioactive, including potatoes, bricks, and cat litter.For the most part, these substances do not present a health risk. However, they can set off radiation sensors at ports of entry and their radioactivity is detectable using a Geiger counter. Its pretty easy to understand why tile, granite, and kitty litter are radioactive. They contain low levels of minerals that naturally decay. Bananas are radioactive for a similar reason. The fruit contains high levels of potassium. Radioactive K-40 has an isotopic abundance of 0.01% and a half-life of 1.25 billion years. The average banana contains around 450 mg of potassium and will experience about 14 decays each second. Its no big deal. You already have potassium in your body, 0.01% as K-40. You are fine. Your body can handle low levels of radioactivity. The element is essential for proper nutrition. If you have a banana in your car for your lunch you arent going to set off a Geiger counter. If you carry a produce truck full of them, you might encounter some problems. Ditto for a truck of potatoes or potassium fertilizer.The point here is that radiation is all around you. If you do an internet search, youll note significant concern (panic?) over bananas being radioactive. Are they radioactive? Barely. If you set a banana on a detector you wont hear mad clicking. It wont glow in the dark when you turn out the lights. There is a perception that radiation is bad, bad, bad. Its just a part of life. Bricks are radioactive. Anything containing carbon (you) is slightly radioactive. Bananas are radioactive and its no big thing. Well... except maybe to Homeland Security.