UN Tourism successfully held its inaugural Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, marking a significant step forward for both the continent and the host nation, highlighting Zimbabwe’s commitment to leveraging gastronomy as a catalyst for sustainable tourism development across the country and Africa. Under the esteemed patronage of the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, and in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Center, the forum brought together delegates from 33 countries, including 11 Ministers and Deputy Ministers, the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The discussions at the forum emphasized the transformative power of gastronomy tourism in enhancing local communities and economies throughout Africa. Participants explored the role of gastronomy in elevating Africa’s presence on the global stage, as well as strategies for integrating gastronomy into national tourism policies. There was a strong focus on showcasing Africa's rich culinary heritage to the world, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among chefs, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

A major highlight of the event was the appointment of four African UN Tourism Ambassadors for Responsible Tourism for their efforts in promoting national cuisines and advocating for sustainable culinary practices: Chef Yohanis Gebreyesus from Ethiopia, Chef Adenike Adefila from Nigeria, Chef Mounir El Arem from Tunisia, and Chef Carl Joshua Ncube from Zimbabwe.

Participants discussed the need for effective funding and the significance of combining tradition, innovation, and quality to create unique food tourism experiences. The forum also highlighted the importance of changing mindsets to value local gastronomy and instil pride in Africa's diverse culinary traditions. This includes working with the African diaspora in promoting African cuisine globally.

The event also featured the UN Tourism Regional Gastronomy Pitch Challenge – driving innovation in Africa, in which five entrepreneurs presented solutions to improve the gastronomy and tourism value chains. Gracia Bvute from Zimbabwe won the competition with her project Pabvute Gourmet. On the occasion, UN Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe recognized the winners of the Youth Photo Contest "A Journey through Zimbabwe ́s Gastronomy" - Nokutenda Tombindo, 1st place winner with the photo titled “MAGURU (TRIPE)” and David Sadindi, 2nd place winner with the photo titled “Family meal (sadza nemufushwa)”.

In addition, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding marked the establishment of the Zimbabwe International Tourism Academy for the Culinary Arts, in partnership with UN Tourism. This initiative underscores a strong commitment to skills development and education, reinforced by the announcement of 100 UN Tourism Academy online scholarships aimed at nurturing culinary talent across the continent. Zimbabwe's commitment to gastronomy as a pillar of sustainable tourism sets a precedent for Africa's global influence, highlighting the need for more such events to celebrate and promote the continent's rich culinary heritage.

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https://www.unwto.org/news/victoria-falls-hosts-first-regional-forum-on-gastronomy-tourism-for-africa