By Evans Dakwa
AS culinary experiences increasingly become a driving force in travel decisions, and with enthusiasts seeking authentic and immersive opportunities to taste the flavours of the world, Zimbabwe is positioning itself to become the pacesetter in this emerging key element in driving tourism growth.
Speaking in her key note address at the Provincial Cookout Competition in Harare Metropolitan Province, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi said tourists are increasingly seeking destinations that offer a culinary journey on top of sightseeing.
As you may be aware, tourism has evolved beyond mere holidaying and recreation. It has become an avenue for exploration, connection, and personal growth. In this journey of discovery, gastronomy plays a pivotal role as a gateway for understanding destination’s culture and heritage,” said Minister Rwodzi.
Statistics from the UN Tourism (2023) show tourism revenues of about 1.4 trillion with 40% of this being expenditure on food related activities and Zimbabwe aims to maximise on this low hanging fruit.
“My Ministry has infused gastronomy into one of the clusters identified to promote and develop tourism as espoused in the Tourism Act which is the Culture and Heritage cluster. This is a cluster we are ready to pursue, explore and grow to its full potential for the benefit of the nation.”
“Many countries including Spain, Italy, China and France rely on gastronomy as a major driver of their economies. Ultimately, that is where we aim at, to put Zimbabwe on the global map and be the gastronomy powerhouse in Africa, she added
In 2023 Zimbabwe hosted the first ever SADC Regional Gastronomy competitions in Masvingo with 8 countries participating, namely; Zimbabwe, Botswana, Angola, DRC, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi and Nigeria, putting the country on the global gastronomy tourism map.
Minister Rwodzi also emphasised the importance of Gastronomy tourism in the country’s quest for Vision 2030 of transforming the Zimbabwe into ‘ an upper middle income economy by 2030’
“Gastronomy tourism promotes social empowerment and inclusivity within communities. It provides an opportunity for locals to engage with visitors, exchange ideas, and share their stories. Through culinary experiences community members become ambassadors of their culture, showcasing their unique perspectives and fostering cross-cultural understanding creating a harmonious society. When local communities actively participate in the development and management of gastronomy tourism initiatives, they earn a sense of ownership and influence over their future for economic gains,” she said.
As the country’s gastronomy tourism stature grows , the country is set to host the first ever UN Tourism Africa Gastronomy Showcase from the 26th to the 28th of July this year in Victoria Falls.