Zimbabwe is set to host the United Nations Tourism Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa from 26 to 28 July 2024 at the Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls. Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, informed the cabinet on 16 July 2024 that the country is ready for this significant event.
The main objectives of the Tourism Forum are to promote cultural heritage, celebrate diverse culinary traditions, and elevate the role of gastronomy in African tourism. Hosting this event will bring numerous benefits to Zimbabwe, including showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage and cuisine to an international audience, highlighting its tourism potential, attracting more visitors, and generating revenue. Additionally, the event will create jobs, stimulate local economies, and increase foreign exchange earnings, boosting the country’s foreign currency reserves.
The forum will enhance Zimbabwe’s gastronomy scene by promoting local ingredients, dishes, and culinary traditions to international visitors. It will also foster partnerships and collaborations with global tourism and gastronomy experts, enhancing Zimbabwe’s global image and branding. By hosting this event, Zimbabwe can demonstrate its capabilities, promote its tourism industry, and contribute to the development of African gastronomy.
President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa will officially open the event and deliver the keynote address. Participants from the SADC region and beyond will showcase their traditional dishes, boosting tourism as delegates enjoy the majesty of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. During the event, President Mnangagwa and First Lady Dr. A. Mnangagwa will be honored by UN Tourism for their outstanding achievements in driving the Gastronomy Tourism initiative in Zimbabwe and Africa at large.
