Gastronomy: East Africa’s culinary tourism in focus as Tanzania hosts major forum
UN tourism regional director for Africa, Elcia Grandcourt, interacts with Tanzania’s minister for natural resources and tourism, Dr Pindi Chana, (R) in Arusha on February 19, 2025 in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | HANDOUT
What you need to know:
- Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Pindi Chana, emphasized the forum’s significance, given that over 50 percent of Tanzanians rely on agriculture.
Tanzania will host the second United Nations (UN) Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, bringing together industry leaders to explore the role of food tourism in economic growth and cultural preservation.
The event, scheduled for April 23-25, 2025, in Arusha, will attract over 300 delegates from across Africa and beyond.
The forum aims to harness the potential of gastronomy – the art of selecting, cooking, and appreciating food – to drive sustainable and inclusive economic development on the continent.
Tanzania’s minister for natural resources and tourism, Dr Pindi Chana, (C) addresses journalists on February 19, 2025 in Dar es Salaam. Left is UN tourism regional director for Africa, Elcia Grandcourt. PHOTO | HANDOUT
At the press briefing on February 19, Tanzania’s minister for natural resources and tourism, Dr Pindi Chana, emphasized the forum’s significance, given that over 50 percent of Tanzanians rely on agriculture.
“This forum is crucial as it presents a major opportunity for economic growth and skills development in the culinary industry,” she said.
Dr Chana added that the event also reinforces Tanzania’s commitment to advancing culinary education across the continent.
The forum will be officially opened by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and will feature a showcase of Tanzania’s diverse culinary heritage, with dishes from the country’s 120 ethnic groups.
“We are honoured to host this forum, which will allow us to learn from global leaders in food tourism,” Dr. Chana said.
“Our goal is to build the capacity of local chefs and diversify Tanzanian cuisine to offer tourists authentic culinary experiences. Through this event, we also seek to explore investment opportunities that will boost gastronomy tourism in our country.”
She called on stakeholders in the food and tourism industries to seize the opportunity by investing in traditional and natural foods to maximize economic benefits.
UN tourism regional director for Africa, Elcia Grandcourt, and Tanzania’s minister for natural resources and tourism, Dr Pindi Chana, (C) joined by other UN and government officials pose for a photo on February 19, 2025 in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | HANDOUT
A UN Tourism representative expressed enthusiasm about the forum, highlighting the opportunity to showcase Africa’s diverse culinary traditions to a global audience.
The first UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa was held in Zimbabwe in July 2024.
UN tourism regional director for Africa, Elcia Grandcourt, and Tanzania’s minister for natural resources and tourism, Dr Pindi Chana, (C) joined by other UN and government officials address journalists on February 19, 2025 in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | HANDOUT
UN tourism regional director for Africa, Elcia Grandcourt, and Tanzania’s minister for natural resources and tourism, Dr Pindi Chana, (C) joined by other UN and government officials address journalists on February 19, 2025 in Dar es Salaam. PHOTO | HANDOUT
