Tanzania wants African nations to copy what Zimbabwe's First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, does to boost food tourism. Dr Phillip Isdor Mpango called her a champion who helps tourism grow across Africa. He spoke at a UN food tourism meeting in Arusha. This marks the second such gathering after Zimbabwe hosted the first one last year. The Zimbabwean First Lady came as the main speaker because of her work promoting local foods.
Mpango said food tourism helps protect African cultural heritage. He asked food tourists to create more African cookbooks. The First Lady published her traditional cookbook three years ago with recipes from all Zimbabwe provinces. He praised both her work and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan for their leadership in tourism promotion. These women stand out as top leaders who speed up food tourism growth in Africa.
The meeting aims to use diverse food practices to make tourism more competitive. Mpango thanked organizers for picking Tanzania to host the event in Arusha. This area serves as the center of traditional tourism in East Africa, with many local dishes. Food tourism presents a promising new area that can help economic growth through new tourism products. It empowers local communities but faces challenges that need attention.
African nations must market their food culture more aggressively since most tourists know little about it. Even within African countries, food tourism rarely appears in tourism strategies. The continent needs to address tourists' fears about unfamiliar African dishes. Mpango highlighted unusual delicacies like caterpillar worms from southern Africa or grasshoppers from northwest Tanzania. These foods require courage for visitors to try.
Mpango said food tourism helps protect African cultural heritage. He asked food tourists to create more African cookbooks. The First Lady published her traditional cookbook three years ago with recipes from all Zimbabwe provinces. He praised both her work and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan for their leadership in tourism promotion. These women stand out as top leaders who speed up food tourism growth in Africa.
The meeting aims to use diverse food practices to make tourism more competitive. Mpango thanked organizers for picking Tanzania to host the event in Arusha. This area serves as the center of traditional tourism in East Africa, with many local dishes. Food tourism presents a promising new area that can help economic growth through new tourism products. It empowers local communities but faces challenges that need attention.
African nations must market their food culture more aggressively since most tourists know little about it. Even within African countries, food tourism rarely appears in tourism strategies. The continent needs to address tourists' fears about unfamiliar African dishes. Mpango highlighted unusual delicacies like caterpillar worms from southern Africa or grasshoppers from northwest Tanzania. These foods require courage for visitors to try.
