UN Tourism has announced a major step forward in its work to grow education and skills development in Africa with the establishment of the first collaborative tourism academies in the region.

With African tourism experiencing significant growth, there is now an urgent need to train a wide range of professionals, all equipped with the skills that modern tourism businesses need.

Reflecting this demand, UN Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Zambia’s Ministry of Tourism to establish the ZITHS Mukuni International Academy for Tourism and Hospitality. 

The Academy will offer a range of courses, all focused on equipping both students new to the sector and established tourism workers, with the skills they need to find work or advance in their careers.

“Africa’s tourism sector is growing and diversifying at a tremendous rate. These new academies will help train the tourism workers of tomorrow in a range of specialisms, giving African tourism the talent it needs to thrive,” said UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili while laying the foundation stone in Livingstone.

Joining the Secretary-General in signing the agreement, Zambia’s Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba said the academy added to the significant tourism education enhancements made in the country post-Covid. 

“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 for how we will bridge the evident skills gap for the existing and future workforce of our tourism sector.”

Culinary Arts Academy planned for Zimbabwe

UN Tourism has also agreed to establish the Africa International Tourism Academy for Culinary Arts. Situated in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, the specialist centre will focus on training skilled professionals in culinary arts both within the country and across Africa. The announcement coincides with the celebration of the first UN Tourism Gastronomy Tourism Forum for Africa, an event showcasing the region’s diverse gastronomy. The Forum was held in Victoria Falls from July 26 to 28.

Zimbabwe’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi said: “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.”