Sierra Leone to Host 3rd UN Tourism Gastronomy Forum in December

Sierra Leone will host the third UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa from December 2–4, 2026. The event will take place at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi. It will bring together policymakers, tourism experts, chefs, investors and development partners to explore how African cuisine can drive sustainable tourism.

The forum builds on previous editions held in Zimbabwe in 2024 and Tanzania in 2025. According to the UN Tourism website, this year’s gathering will examine national and regional strategies for developing gastronomy tourism. Participants will share successful experiences and identify practical actions to strengthen Africa’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.

Local Flavours, Global Opportunities

The three-day event will explore how African food traditions can attract visitors, support local businesses and create employment. It will also examine how gastronomy tourism can protect cultural heritage while benefiting local communities and the environment. Sierra Leone will have an opportunity to showcase its culinary traditions, local produce and hospitality potential to international delegates.

Local Sierra Leonean dish rice and fish

The programme will open with technical workshops on December 2, 2026 focusing on cultural heritage, creative industries and intellectual property. Discussions will examine how crafts, music, storytelling and festivals can enrich food tourism experiences. Participants will also explore how geographical indications, branding and other intellectual property tools can promote authentic African food destinations.

Key Moments of the Events

UN Tourism Delegate Chloe Bougeard (left) with the Minister Of Tourism and Cultural Affairs,  Hon. Nabeela Farida Tunis (right)

The programme will feature the presentation of UN Tourism’s Agenda for African Gastronomy Tourism. A high-level panel will examine how governments can turn tourism policies into practical results. The sessions will also include live cooking demonstrations, connecting discussions on tourism development with African culinary experiences.

Women’s economic empowerment will take centre stage during a dedicated panel on gastronomy tourism. Speakers will examine women’s contributions to food production, processing, preparation and hospitality services. The discussion will also explore barriers to finance, land, technology, training and decision-making.

Another session will examine how creativity, cultural heritage and food can strengthen African destinations. Participants will discuss ways to use local identity to attract visitors, encourage investment and reshape perceptions of the continent. A separate agritourism panel will explore how farming, traditional knowledge and rural experiences can generate income while protecting cultural and natural resources.

The day will conclude with closing remarks and a gala dinner for international delegates. English and French interpretation will support participation during the main programme. These activities will provide opportunities for delegates to exchange ideas and strengthen professional relationships.

What the Forum Could Mean for Sierra Leone

Hosting the forum offers Sierra Leone an opportunity to strengthen its profile as a tourism destination. The gathering could help connect local producers, chefs, hospitality businesses and tourism operators with regional and international partners. It also creates a platform to explore investment, job creation and opportunities for women and young people.

The forum’s wider ambition extends beyond promoting food as a visitor attraction. It seeks to harness gastronomy tourism to strengthen local economies, preserve cultural identity and encourage environmentally responsible development. 

For Sierra Leone, this created an opportunity to turn international attention received from this event  into lasting opportunities for communities and tourism businesses.

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Hon. Nabeela Farida Tunis  (middle) and staff celebrating in a street parole during the Launch of Year of Ecotourism 2025