Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIAN Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango has called on stakeholders in Africa’s tourism and food sectors to invest in writing cookbooks and compiling collections of African cuisine.
He said this would help promote culinary tourism and dispel the fear some visitors have about trying traditional African dishes.
Dr. Mpango made the remarks today during the official opening of the Second United Nations African Culinary Tourism Conference, taking place in Arusha from April 23 to 25, 2025.
He explained that despite the rich variety of African foods, some foreign visitors remain hesitant to try them due to unfamiliarity. According to him, educating the international community through written works and visuals that showcase the history, ingredients, and preparation methods of African dishes is a key strategic step in promoting culinary tourism.
“It is important to document our recipes in cookbooks. This will help eliminate the fear caused by a lack of knowledge about how our food is made, what it is made from, and how it tastes. Once visitors receive accurate information, many are willing to try,” Dr. Mpango stated.
He cited examples of foods that may require courage to try for the first time, including grasshoppers, termites, butterfly caterpillars, wild rats, snakes, and seafood like octopus — all of which are considered delicacies in various parts of Africa.
Dr. Mpango emphasized that Africa possesses a vast wealth of culinary heritage, which, if properly invested in and promoted, could become a powerful tool to strengthen tourism, create jobs, and boost income for local communities.
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