Tourism As A drive for Growth and Culture In Africa
The 2nd UN Tourism Regional Tourism for Africa reinforced the region’s growing commitment to make gastronomy tourism a key driver in social and economic development.
The event celebrated the continent’s culinary richness and represented a strong step towards stronger cooperation among tourism
African diverse food cultures, stronger regional branding’ enhanced collaboration with local producers, and more sustainable practices, highlighting the sector’s potential to drive tourism, and promote the consumption of healthy foods across the continent.
under whose patronage the inaugural regional edition of the Forum for Africa was held last year. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing African gastronomy on the global stage.
Tourism is a powerful tool for development, and gastronomy brings us even closer to communities.
Africa’s culinary heritage is a key asset – one that can generate jobs, support rural development, and strengthen the continent’s global identity
Priorities for Gastronomy Tourism in Africa
Bringing together over 400 participants from 30 countries, the Forum discussions focused on policy frameworks with the participation of the Ministers of Tourism of Tanzania, Zimbabwe.
Education and skills, national targeted strategies, communication and product development emerged as main priorities to advance the agenda of gastronomy tourism in Africa.
advance this, the Secretary-General announced that 100 scholarships will be made available to students from Africa to benefit from the UN Tourism Online Academy.
The scholarships will help strengthen the capacities of national tourism professionals in the field of gastronomy and culinary arts.
The partnership will focus on advocacy, promotion and skills to strengthen gastronomy tourism across the continent.
The Forum further underscored the need to strengthen local food ecosystems by engaging with producers.
safeguarding culinary heritage through the promotion and use of native crops, documentation of products, processes and traditional recipes, and more sustainable food systems.
Participants also emphasized the need to elevate the regional and global image of African cuisine.
highlighting the role of food festivals, cultural events, and storytelling in showcasing the continent’s culinary identity and reshaping perceptions worldwide.
Building on its continued success, the Regional Forum – part of UN Tourism Agenda for Africa – is consolidating as a strategic platform tourism in the region placing the issue higher on the tourism agenda.
The Forum will return for a third edition, to be held in Sierra Leone.
Compiled by
World Travel News, Gorilla Trekking Uganda and Gorilla Trekking Rwanda
