UN Tourism Launches Collaborative Academies to Enhance Skills Development in African Tourism

(IN SHORT) UN Tourism has taken a significant step to enhance education and skills development in Africa by establishing the first collaborative Academies in the region. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Ministry of Tourism of Zambia to create the ZITHS Mukuni International Academy for Tourism and Hospitality, aimed at equipping students and tourism workers with modern skills. Additionally, a new Culinary Arts Academy will be set up in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, to train professionals in the culinary arts across Africa. These initiatives coincide with the first UN Tourism Gastronomy Tourism Forum for Africa, celebrating the region’s diverse culinary heritage.

(PRESS RELEASE) Zimbabwe, Africa, 2024-Jul-30 — /Travel PR News/ — UN Tourism has announced a major initiative to advance education and skills development in Africa by establishing the first collaborative Academies in the region.

With Africa’s tourism industry experiencing rapid growth, there is an urgent need to train a diverse range of skilled professionals equipped with the competencies required by modern tourism businesses. In response to this demand, UN Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Tourism of Zambia to establish the ZITHS Mukuni International Academy for Tourism and Hospitality. This Academy will offer a variety of courses designed to provide both new entrants and existing tourism workers with the skills needed to secure employment or advance their careers.

Secretary-General’s Remarks: During the foundation stone laying ceremony in Livingstone, Secretary-General Pololikashvili emphasized, “Africa’s tourism sector is growing and diversifying at a tremendous rate. These new Academies in collaboration with UN Tourism will help train the tourism workers of tomorrow in a range of specialisms, giving African tourism the talent it needs to thrive.”

Minister of Tourism of Zambia’s Comments: Minister of Tourism of Zambia, Rodney M. Sikumba, added, “Through the adoption of the UN Tourism Education Guidelines, Zambia has been able to reposition the role of education in tourism development. The establishment of the Academy is a game changer in how we will bridge the evident skills gap for the existing and future workforce of our tourism sector.”

Culinary Arts Academy in Zimbabwe: Additionally, UN Tourism has agreed to establish the Africa International Tourism Academy for Culinary Arts in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This specialist center will focus on training professionals in the culinary arts within Zimbabwe and across Africa. The announcement aligns with the celebration of the first UN Tourism Gastronomy Tourism Forum for Africa, an event showcasing the region’s diverse culinary offerings and bringing together key players from both the public and private sectors.

Zimbabwe’s Tourism Minister’s Statement: Zimbabwe’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “We are excited to be working closely with UN Tourism to grow gastronomy tourism in our country and across the wider region. The new Academy in collaboration with UN Tourism signals our shared commitment to empowering tourism workers within the field of culinary arts, putting Zimbabwe firmly on the global gastronomy map.”

These initiatives by UN Tourism represent a significant investment in the future of Africa’s tourism industry, aiming to provide the necessary skills and training to support its continued growth and diversification.

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Source: UNWTO

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