Victoria Falls Hosts Inaugural Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism
On July 29, 2024, Victoria Falls welcomed the inaugural Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, marking a milestone for both the continent and its host nation.
The Forum showcased Zimbabwe’s dedication to harnessing gastronomy as a driver for sustainable tourism growth across Africa.
Under the esteemed patronage of Her Excellency Dr. Auxillia C. Mnangagwa, First Lady of Zimbabwe, and in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Center, the event gathered approximately 200 delegates from 33 countries. This included 11 Ministers and Deputy Ministers, representatives from the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Highlighting Africa’s Gastronomic Riches
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili opened the forum with a powerful statement: “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 that will enable us to build an Agenda for Gastronomy Tourism in Africa, ensuring that we work to make gastronomy tourism benefit both people and the planet.”
Harnessing Gastronomy for Regional Growth
Discussions at the forum focused on the potential of gastronomy tourism to transform local communities and economies across Africa. Participants examined how to elevate Africa’s culinary heritage on the global tourism stage and integrate gastronomy into national tourism strategies. Emphasis was placed on showcasing Africa’s rich culinary traditions and fostering collaboration among chefs, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
The forum addressed the need for effective funding and the integration of tradition with innovation to create unique food tourism experiences. There was a strong focus on valuing local gastronomy and instilling pride in Africa’s diverse culinary heritage, including leveraging the African diaspora to promote African cuisine worldwide and enhancing education and vocational training.
Encouraging Innovation and Talent
The event featured the UN Tourism Regional Gastronomy Pitch Challenge, which aimed to drive innovation within the gastronomy and tourism sectors. Zimbabwe’s Gracia Bvute won the competition with her Pabvute Gourmet project. The forum also honored the winners of the Youth Photo Contest "A Journey through Zimbabwe’s Gastronomy": Nokutenda Tombindo for her photo “MAGURU (TRIPE)” and David Sadindi for “Family meal (sadza nemufushwa).”
Additionally, four new African UN Tourism Ambassadors for Responsible Tourism were announced for their contributions to promoting national cuisines and advocating sustainable culinary practices: Chef Yohanis Gebreyesus (Ethiopia), Chef Adenike Adefila (Nigeria), Chef Mounir El Arem (Tunisia), and Chef Carl Joshua Ncube (Zimbabwe).
Zimbabwe’s Culinary Education Initiative
The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Zimbabwe International Tourism Academy for the Culinary Arts in partnership with UN Tourism. This initiative underscores a commitment to skill development and education, complemented by the announcement of 100 UN Tourism Academy online scholarships to nurture culinary talent across Africa.
Looking ahead, the second edition of the Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa is set to take place in Tanzania.
