Story by Tichaona Kurewa
The local tourism sector has pledged to leverage on the country’s unique cuisines and dishes to promote growth and also contribute more towards the national gross domestic product (GDP).
The first UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa kicked off in Victoria Falls this Friday with players acknowledging the importance of local cuisines in driving growth of the local tourism sector.
“Food and drinks are important cultural assets and you will notice that France, which is a leading popular tourism destination for example is famous for its food and wine (gastronomy). Tourists travel for this reason, it is important for us to also develop and be intentional about local gastronomy,” said TBCZ President, Mr Clive Chinwada.
“The forum has given us an opportunity to showcase local foods. This will also help us to develop own foods that we can take to the world just like Italian pizza. When we do this we are likely to record an increase of people who will come to Zimbabwe to specifically enjoy our local cuisines,” said TBCZ Vice President, Mr Farai Chimba.
The government noted that the local tourism sector is on a growth trajectory after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi said, “Over the years and on average the tourism and hospitality industry is ranked number three in the country after mining and agriculture in terms of contributing to the national GDP. However, in the first half of 2024 the tourism and hospitality industry’s economic statistic shows that this industry has shot to the number one position in the first six months of the year, having experienced an 83 percent in tourist arrivals.”
Matabeleland North province is grateful for hosting the culinary school set to be established soon.
“We are thrilled and honoured to learn of the UN Tourism Gastronomy Academy to be established in the province and wish to point out that the proposed investment will go a long way in developing the much-needed cooking skills not only for Zimbabwe but for the Southern African region and beyond,” said Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Richard Moyo.
This inaugural event, co-organised by UN Tourism, the Basque Culinary Centre and the Zimbabwean government, saw over 400 delegates among them experts, chefs and tourism officials from across Africa convening in the resort city.
