Registration has opened for the 3rd UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa,
which will take place from 2–4 December 2026 in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
The forum is being jointly organized by UN Tourism and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone,
bringing together tourism stakeholders to explore the growing role of gastronomy in Africa’s tourism
and economic development.
The third edition follows the second forum held in Arusha, Tanzania, and will move the conversation to
West Africa, providing a new perspective on Africa’s position in the global gastronomy tourism
landscape.
The forum will examine how gastronomy tourism can contribute to sustainable development, cultural
exchange and economic growth, while highlighting the culinary heritage of Sierra Leone and the wider
African continent.
Through dialogue, storytelling, practical activities and collaboration, the event will explore ways of
positioning African gastronomy as an important component of sustainable tourism, resilience and
regional cooperation.
The forum will also place emphasis on safeguarding culinary traditions and celebrating Africa’s diverse
food cultures as part of the continent’s broader tourism identity.
Registration is open until 15 October 2026. Participants and interested stakeholders can access further
information and register through the official 3rd UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism
for Africa: https://www.untourism.int/events/3-un-tourism-regional-forum-on-gastronomy-tourism-for-
africa
The event continues UN Tourism’s work in promoting gastronomy tourism as a tool for destination
development and diversification. UN Tourism’s programme of work has identified gastronomy as an
area for product development, with regional forums previously held in Africa.
For further enquiries, organizers can be contacted at gastronomyforum@untourism.int.
