Story by Owen Mandovha
THE Government seeks to enhance the country’s diverse food experiences to tourists and travellers by establishing culinary centres at the country’s airports.
In an effort to further enhance gastronomy tourism, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, led by Honourable Barbra Rwodzi intends to set up the culinary centres as a significant travel motivation.
Minister Rwodzi spoke recently at the commissioning of the VVIP Pavilion at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, saying they are working closely with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development in these projects.
“As a ministry, one of our mandates is to promote and elevate gastronomy tourism, hence, we have established that it is key to expose visiting tourists to our food which can entice them to further visit the country.
“Airports are convenient places where we can also promote this growing sub-sector,” she said.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Honourable Felix Mhona confirmed the arrangement.
“The VVIP Pavilion is a key feature of this airport and we are in talks with the Ministry of Tourism to ensure that we can promote gastronomy by establishing some gastronomy centres at the airports including at this pavilion.”
Last month, the country hosted the first ever Regional Gastronomy Conference in Victoria Falls organised by the United Nations Tourism to promote the practice which is a key driver to tourism industry growth.
