The inaugural United Nations Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, hosted in Zimbabwe, represents a major advancement for both the nation and the continent.
Held in Victoria Falls, the forum underscored Zimbabwe’s dedication to using gastronomy as a driver for sustainable tourism growth both locally and across Africa.
Under the patronage of First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and in partnership with the Basque Culinary Centre, the event gathered approximately 200 delegates from 33 countries, including 11 ministers and deputy ministers, along with representatives from the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili opened the event, stating: “It is only fitting that we convene in one of the world’s most vibrant gastronomy regions – Africa!”
“We depart Victoria Falls with a clear plan to develop an Agenda for Gastronomy Tourism in Africa, ensuring that we leverage gastronomy tourism to benefit both people and the planet,” Pololikashvili remarked.
The forum discussions highlighted how gastronomy tourism can transform local communities and economies across Africa.
A key focus was on presenting Africa’s diverse culinary heritage to the global stage, stressing the need for collaboration among chefs, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
The Zimbabwe International Tourism Academy for the Culinary Arts has been established in partnership with UN Tourism, emphasizing a commitment to skill development and education. This effort is further supported by the announcement of 100 online scholarships from the UN Tourism Academy to cultivate culinary talent across the continent.
The next regional forum is scheduled to take place in Tanzania in 2025.
