ZIMBABWE FORGES STRATEGIC TIES WITH ALGERIA FOR GASTRONOMY TOURISM GROWTH

Zimbabwe’s ambitious gastronomy tourism agenda received a significant boost during the recent State Visit to Algeria by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa. Anchored under Zimbabwe’s Culture and Heritage Cluster, this diplomatic engagement created a strategic opportunity to advance the nation’s culinary and hospitality ambitions on the global stage.

On the sidelines of the visit, Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, engaged in a highly productive bilateral meeting with her Algerian counterpart, Hon. Houria Meddahi, Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts. The crucial discussions took place at the prestigious Algiers Higher School of Hospitality and Restaurants Management (ESHRA), Africa’s leading institution in culinary arts. The Zimbabwean delegation also undertook an insightful tour of the world-class facility, underscoring the critical importance of benchmarking as Zimbabwe prepares to establish its own culinary school.

Key outcomes of the meeting included Zimbabwe’s firm decision to dispatch teams of engineering and professional experts to ESHRA for comprehensive benchmarking. Furthermore, plans were cemented to implement a robust Training of Trainers Programme for Zimbabwean teaching staff, facilitated by a strengthened partnership with ESHRA. These pivotal initiatives will be supported by a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two nations during the State Visit, signalling a deeper commitment to collaboration.

ESHRA will serve as the guiding model for Zimbabwe’s planned Africa International Academy for Culinary Arts, a transformative project set to be established in Victoria Falls. This landmark institution will operate under the esteemed Patronage of The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, and will be developed in collaboration with UN Tourism, marking a significant and strategic step forward in Zimbabwe’s burgeoning gastronomy tourism development. The partnership with Algeria’s premier culinary school is poised to elevate Zimbabwe’s hospitality sector and firmly place its unique culinary heritage on the international map.