Botswana Tourism Officials to Highlight Gastronomy’s Role in Tourism Growth at FIGA 2026

Botswana Tourism Officials to Highlight Gastronomy’s Role in Tourism Growth at FIGA 2026. The Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) will use the International Forum of Africa Gastronomy (FIGA Botswana 2026) to highlight the role of culinary tourism in strengthening the country’s tourism offering and supporting economic development.

The forum is taking place at Cresta Lodge in Gaborone from 11 to 14 November 2026, with two BTO representatives scheduled to contribute to discussions on 13 November.

Carol Kgafela, BTO’s Marketing Manager for Events and Products, will participate in a panel discussion titled “Culinary Tourism: Positioning Botswana as a Destination”. The session will examine how Botswana’s culinary heritage can contribute to the country’s destination appeal and help diversify its tourism offering.

Mildred Mackennie, the organisation’s Tourism Development Manager, will take part in a thematic session titled “Gastronomy as an Economic Driver”. Her contribution will focus on the potential for gastronomy to stimulate local enterprise, strengthen tourism value chains and create economic opportunities.

The discussions will bring together tourism and gastronomy as areas with potential to contribute to destination development and economic activity.

According to the BTO, the participation of its two officials reflects the organisation’s commitment to positioning gastronomy as an important part of tourism product diversification and sustainable economic growth.

The forum provides a platform for discussions on the relationship between food, tourism and economic development, with Botswana’s culinary heritage featuring in conversations about strengthening the country’s tourism proposition.

The event is being held at Cresta Lodge, Gaborone, with the BTO representatives scheduled to participate on Friday, 13 November.