The inaugural Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, sparked a culinary revolution, uniting 200 delegates from 33 countries to harness the power of gastronomy for sustainable tourism development.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili opened the landmark event, declaring, “It is only right we now meet in one of the world’s most exciting gastronomy regions – Africa! We leave Victoria Falls with a roadmap to build an Agenda for Gastronomy Tourism in Africa, ensuring gastronomy tourism benefits people and planet..
The forum, patronized by Zimbabwe’s First Lady Dr. Auxillia C. Mnangagwa, brought together ministers, policymakers, chefs, and stakeholders to explore gastronomy’s transformative power in enhancing local communities and economies. Discussions focused on showcasing Africa’s rich culinary heritage, integrating gastronomy into national tourism policies, and promoting innovation.
The Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa was a groundbreaking event that aimed to harness the power of food and cuisine to promote cultural exchange, support local economies, and create jobs.
Over 200 delegates from 33 countries attended the event, including ministers, policymakers, chefs, restaurateurs, and tourism industry professionals. The forum featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops that focused on various aspects of gastronomy tourism, such as:
- Showcasing Africa’s rich culinary heritage and diverse food traditions
- Integrating gastronomy into national tourism policies and strategies
- Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the food and tourism sectors
- Supporting small-scale farmers and local food producers
- Developing sustainable and responsible tourism practices
The event also included a pitch challenge, where entrepreneurs presented innovative solutions to improve the gastronomy and tourism value chains. Additionally, a photo contest showcased the beauty of Zimbabwe’s gastronomy, and new African UN Tourism Ambassadors for Responsible Tourism were appointed.
A key outcome of the forum was the establishment of the Zimbabwe International Tourism Academy for the Culinary Arts, which aims to provide training and skills development for culinary professionals. The academy will also promote research and innovation in gastronomy tourism.
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Overall, the Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa marked an important milestone in the development of gastronomy tourism on the continent. It highlighted the potential of food and cuisine to drive sustainable development and promote cultural exchange, and set the stage for future collaborations and initiatives.
