The Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango, is expected to officially open the 2nd UN Tourism African Gastronomy Forum, taking place today in Arusha.
The forum, organized by the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and the Basque Culinary Center, brings together over 300 participants.
These include senior leaders from the tourism and hospitality sectors, government officials, and culinary experts from across Africa and around the world.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Gran Meliá Hotel in Arusha, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Pindi Chana, emphasized the importance of the event:
“This event aims to highlight the vital link between culinary heritage and tourism, while evaluating the role of gastronomy tourism in promoting economic development, preserving cultural heritage, and improving the livelihoods of communities.”
Dr. Chana explained that Tanzania has a unique opportunity through this forum to showcase its rich variety of traditional foods, representing more than 120 ethnic groups across the country.
“This forum will serve as a strategic platform to promote culinary tourism, diversify our tourism products, increase visitor stay duration, and enhance the tourism sector’s contribution to our national economy,” she added.
She also called upon all stakeholders in the tourism and culinary industries, as well as the general public, to actively support and participate in this important initiative.
On her part, the Director for Africa at UN Tourism, Elcia Grandcourt, underlined the broader value of the forum:
“This international gastronomy tourism forum will help strengthen rural tourism and safeguard indigenous cultural practices. It is a chance to showcase what we have to offer, not just from Tanzania, but from the African continent as a whole.”
The forum is expected to host several high-level international guests, including the UN Tourism Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, and the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Dr. Auxillia C. Mnangagwa.
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