UN Tourisms first Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa has been lauded as a significant landmark in catalysing the growth of culinary tourism across the host country of Zimbabwe and the African continent.
Held in Victoria Falls from July 26 to 28, the forum was attended by around 200 delegates, including heads of state, representatives from the African Union, the Southern African Development Community and the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization.
Transformative power of gastronomyDiscussions at the forum emphasised the transformative power of gastronomy tourism in enhancing local communities and economies throughout Africa.
Participants explored the role of gastronomy in elevating Africas presence on the global tourism 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, underlining the importance of collaboration among chefs, policymakers and other stakeholders.
Focus was also placed on effective funding and the significance of combining tradition, innovation, and quality to create unique food tourism experiences.
