UN Tourism to Establish Collaborative Academies in Africa
UN TOURISM ESTABLISHES ACADEMIES IN AFRICA TO BOOST EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM. ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE TO HOST NEW TOURISM TRAINING CENTERS.
UN Tourism has taken a significant step in enhancing education and skills development in Africa. They announced the creation of the first collaborative Academies in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
With African tourism booming, there is a pressing need to train skilled professionals. To meet this demand, UN Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Zambia’s Ministry of Tourism. This agreement establishes the ZITHS Mukuni International Academy for Tourism and Hospitality. The Academy will offer courses designed to equip both new and experienced tourism workers with essential skills for career advancement.
New Academies in Africa Set to Boost Tourism
Secretary-General Pololikashvili laid the foundation stone in Livingstone, highlighting the rapid growth and diversification of Africa’s tourism sector. He stated, “These new Academies will help train tomorrow’s tourism workers in various specialisms, providing Africa’s tourism with the talent it needs to thrive.”
Minister of Tourism of Zambia, Rodney M. Sikumba, emphasized the transformative impact of adopting UN Tourism Education Guidelines. He noted, “The Academy is a game changer, bridging the skills gap for our current and future tourism workforce.”
Culinary Arts Academy in Zimbabwe
UN Tourism also plans to establish the Africa International Tourism Academy for Culinary Arts in Zimbabwe. This center, located in Victoria Falls, will train skilled professionals in culinary arts across Africa. The announcement coincided with the first UN Tourism Gastronomy Tourism Forum for Africa. This event showcased the region’s diverse gastronomy, bringing together key players from both the public and private sectors.
Zimbabwe’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi expressed excitement about this collaboration. She stated, “The new Academy signals our commitment to empowering tourism workers in culinary arts, positioning Zimbabwe on the global gastronomy map.”
UN Tourism’s initiatives of academies aim to boost Africa’s tourism sector by developing a skilled workforce, ensuring sustainable growth and global recognition.
