Namibia expands tourism focus to include gastronomy

Namibia is expanding its tourism strategy to include gastronomy, moving beyond its traditional focus on landscapes and wildlife. The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) aims to use culinary experiences to offer visitors a deeper connection to the country’s people, traditions, and agricultural heritage.

Zebulon Chicalu, CEO of the NTB, stated that food serves as a “natural extension of destination marketing” and can encourage longer visitor stays while creating economic opportunities for local farmers and communities. The culinary identity of the nation is shaped by its diverse geography, ranging from the arid Namib Desert to the greener northern regions and the Atlantic coastline.