Tinaye Agere
Leonard Ncube
President Mnangagwa has officially opened the first United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism) Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa in Victoria Falls and challenged the continent to embrace traditional cuisine to encourage self-sustenance.
First Lady, Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa, is being honoured for her contribution to the promotion of culture and culinary tourism.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was privileged to host the first gastronomy forum on the African continent.
“Tourism is a vital cog to the economy and to sustainably grow the sector, Government has developed a cluster-based strategy with gastronomy as part of it. As we develop gastronomy tourism, Africa must be a continent that can feed itself.
“I urge the industry to continue introducing new products to promote gastronomy-related food packages. Gastronomy enhances sustainability and inclusion as we work towards realising the Sustainable Development Goals,” said President Mnangagwa.
About 450 local and foreign delegates are attending the three-day forum that will end on Sunday.
Various stakeholders, including Government departments and agencies, the private sector and educational institutions are exhibiting at the forum.
Zimbabwe was chosen to host the forum in recognition of the work being done by the First Lady in promoting gastronomy tourism from the grassroots.
A Zimbabwean delegation exhibited the country’s culture and cuisine at a similar forum held in Spain in October 2023.
Bongani Ndlovu