The federal government has said that the contribution of gastronomy to tourism development is unquestionable, saying it has become a major growing component in the contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Dr. Ngozi Owundiwe stated on Saturday at the 3rd Edition of the Gastronomy Festival with the theme; “Culinary Arts – The Gateway to Growing Tourism Destinations”.
Owundiwe, who was represented by the Director of Domestic Tourism in the Ministry, Mrs. Patricia Narai, described the culinary culture as the longest surviving part of a given society, noting that the culture had been overlooked over the years.
He said, “The contribution of gastronomy to tourism development is unquestionable with various examples worldwide, as it has become a major growing component in the contribution to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in all developing countries around the world.”
Earlier, the Director General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Nura Kangiwa said the purpose of the event was to show cultural expressions and food traditions of various regions of the country, as well as the world.
He added that the festival also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the responsibility in food consumption, as well as the importance of growing food production as the world population grows.
Kangiwa noted, “The significance of Gastronomy is to assemble stakeholders in one place, to show their cultural expression and food traditions of a particular region. Because these days, the most trending tourism sector is food tourism, which is gastronomy.
“Another importance of this program is not just for the food eating habit, it is also about exchanging ideas with stakeholders about the responsibility in eating food. You know, it is very important to raise awareness about the extinction of some of the wildlife in this country, and as the world population grows, food production needs to grow as well.”
The director-general stressed that the display of cuisines at the event, showcased Nigeria’s gastronomic beauty, adding that the cuisines poignantly reveal the ‘farm to table’ processes which signpost the economic multiplier-effects and social value of a thriving Tourism Industry”.