UN Tourism Debuts Regional Gastronomy Forum for Africa in Zimbabwe

Monday, June 10, 2024

The UN Tourism organization is set to host its inaugural Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, aimed at establishing gastronomy tourism as a key component of sustainable and inclusive growth throughout the region.

Scheduled to take place in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from July 26-28, 2024, the forum enjoys the patronage of the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Dr. Auxillia C. Mnangagwa. It is organized in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Center, and focuses on leveraging the transformative potential of gastronomy tourism for the benefit of local communities and regions across Africa.

As part of the UN Tourism’s African agenda—Tourism for Inclusive Growth—this event seeks to formulate a cohesive strategy for African Gastronomy Tourism. African Tourism Ministers and the FAO Representative in Zimbabwe will participate in developing this strategy, aiming to elevate African gastronomy on a global scale, create supportive policies, and enhance its role as a developmental catalyst. The forum will also feature technical visits to various local sites.

The forum will spotlight innovation through a pitch challenge where entrepreneurs can propose scalable solutions to regional issues within gastronomy and tourism sectors. Keynotes and panel discussions will focus on sustainable gastronomy tourism practices, covering topics such as local sourcing and minimizing food waste.

Experts and renowned chefs like Chef Fatmata Binta, UN Tourism Ambassador for Responsible Tourism, and representatives from several African culinary organizations, will share their initiatives and discuss their community impact, particularly in advancing education and skills.

Alongside the forum, the “A Journey through Zimbabwe’s Gastronomy” UN Tourism Youth Photo Contest will be launched, offering Zimbabwean communities a platform to share their culinary heritage. The contest will accept entries from June 10 to July 1.

This engagement underscores Zimbabwe’s commitment to positioning gastronomy tourism as a vital element for Africa’s sustainable tourism development, highlighted by the continuous support of the First Lady and the ongoing Regional Traditional Gastronomy Festival, an initiative started in 2019. Zimbabwe has actively participated in previous editions of the World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, further showcasing its dedication.

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