Arusha. Vice President Dr Philip Mpango has officially inaugurated the Second UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Africa.
In his opening speech he declared the government’s commitment to working with local agricultural producers to address climate change and promote digital platforms that connect tourists directly with authentic food producers.
Addressing participants at the forum held in Arusha on April 23, 2025, Dr Mpango underscored the importance of enhancing food systems through digital innovation and capacity building for local chefs.
He said the government would support the establishment of community-led culinary centres and promote gastronomy tourism as a strategic component of the country’s tourism offering.
“Gastronomy creates a bond between our visitors and the authentic tastes, traditions, and narratives of our people,” said Dr Mpango.
“In Tanzania, we are privileged to possess a vibrant and diverse culinary heritage that reflects our rich history, cultural plurality, and abundant natural resources—both terrestrial and aquatic,” he added.
He observed that gastronomy tourism is a vital component of the wider tourism sector, with strong potential to stimulate economic growth, foster cultural exchange, and empower communities.
Dr Mpango further revealed that the government is implementing a strategy to diversify tourism offerings to appeal to a broader spectrum of international visitors.
Among the targeted areas are beach tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), cruise tourism, cultural tourism, and sports tourism.
Plans are also afoot to promote restaurants that serve authentic African cuisine and traditional home-cooked meals, with the goal of enhancing the tourist experience.
Highlighting Tanzania’s recent strides, Dr Mpango said international tourist arrivals surged from 1,527,230 in 2019 to 2,141,895 in 2024—an increase of 40.25 percent.
“These achievements are largely attributed to strategic promotional campaigns such as Tanzania: The Royal Tour, which showcases the country’s natural beauty, culture, and diverse tourism offerings,” he said.
“In May last year, we also launched the Amazing Tanzania campaign in China to expand our tourism market across Asia,” he noted.
Welcoming the Vice President to the forum, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Dr Pindi Chana said gastronomy tourism presents a significant opportunity for Africa to increase its tourist numbers.
She called for more concerted efforts to position African cuisine as a unique selling point in tourism promotion.
She said celebrating gastronomy within tourism involves empowering local farmers, chefs, and food entrepreneurs to take centre stage in developing the sector.
This, she said, includes boosting domestic food production, strengthening food safety and quality standards, and enhancing consumer confidence in local culinary products.
Dr Chana also urged stronger collaboration among tourism stakeholders to create a climate-resilient experience that resonates with both international and domestic tourists.
Meanwhile, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili described the forum as a critical platform for cementing Africa’s position on the global tourism map.
He said the forum’s potential lies in its ability to advance sustainable tourism development, unlock investment opportunities, support socio-economic progress, and contribute to the sustainability of food systems.
The event brought together around 300 participants, including senior tourism and hospitality officials, government representatives, and culinary experts from across Africa and beyond.
