Victoria Falls to house regional UN Tourism Academy

THE Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has said plans are underway to establish a United Nations (UN) Tourism Academy in Victoria Falls, which would service the entire Southern Africa.

The proposed academy is expected to increase the country’s prominence in the tourism sector and improve professional skills in the tourism and hospitality sector across the region.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, revealed this during the Matabeleland North Provincial Cookout Competition for students and professional chefs held at the Lupane State University (LSU) last Friday.

“In addition to the 100 scholarships that were availed by the UN for students in the field of tourism, the country was also granted an opportunity to build a UN Tourism Academy for the Sadc region in this province, in Victoria Falls,” said Minister Rwodzi who was represented by her deputy, Cde Tongai Mnangagwa.

“This is meant to enhance the tourism and culinary skills for our students and it will enhance the growth of brand Zimbabwe in the region and beyond.”

Minister Rwodzi applauded the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, for her role in promoting brand Zimbabwe, especially through gastronomy tourism, which promotes local traditional meals.

“In this regard, we continue to cherish the works of the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe in coming up with life-changing initiatives. Resultantly, the First Lady was invited to a UNWTO Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Spain to share the Zimbabwean experience in promoting traditional cuisine,” said the minister.

“This is a clear demonstration that the infiltration of Zimbabwean food has gone beyond limitless boundaries.”

The colourful cookout event showcased the culinary skills and innovation of both professional chefs and students from tertiary institutions.

LSU students dominated the competition with three of their students coming out tops. Nomvelo Sibanda from LSU became the second runner-up following Easy Sibanda also from LSU with Blessed Mutengezwana emerging best.

Professional chefs from various prestigious hotels battled it out with Elephant Hills chef Tinashe Mangenyu coming first and Sinqobile Mpofu from Rainbow Tourism Victoria Falls becoming the first runner-up and Liosa Mazanhi Mutyambizi from Hwange Safari Lodge becoming the second runner-up.

All participants walked away with certificates and hampers as an appreciation for their participation. Zimbabwe is pursuing a US$5 billion tourism industry by 2025 through the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy launched by President Mnangagwa in 2020, which hinges on promoting destination Zimbabwe through various marketing strategies and gastronomy tourism is one of the strategies being employed to promote destination Zimbabwe and it is seemingly yielding results.