Organisers of one of the largest food festivals in Africa, NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival has announced the 2024 edition. The Management of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) said the event will hold on Friday, May 31, 2024 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
A statement released by Joesef Karim, NIHOTOURs Public Relations Officer in Abuja stated that participation in the food festival is open to the public and free of charge.
This year is the 4th consecutive edition of the Festival, which was conceived in 2020 to, as he said, “improve the gastronomic service skills-set of personnel working in Nigerias hospitality and tourism sectors.”
According to the statement, The Festival … attracts over 5000 visitors and tourists.” The theme for this year 2024 is Sustainable Food Production from Farm to Table.
Karim said, NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival 2024 will witness an exhibition of Nigerian foods and beverages by NIHOTOUR from the six geopolitical zones, an exhibition of international cuisines by foreign missions in Nigeria, and an exhibition of signature foods by leading chefs and restaurant franchises in the country.
There will also be a display of international best practices in cuisine presentation and food handling. Tourists and visitors at the Gastronomy Festival are allowed to freely sample all exhibited foods while being serenaded with Nigerian music and eclectic cultural entertainment.”
The organisers are confident that the event will attract people from far and near, including visitors from across the continent and beyond. This confidence is informed by the experiences of the past years. Karim again, Previous editions of NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival saw the participation of some diplomatic missions in Nigeria including Spain, China, Ethiopia, Cote dIvoire, Senegal, Trinidad & Tobago, among others.
More so, a number of leading travel, food and beverage brands in Nigeria also featured including Air Cote dIvoire, Destination Senegal, Danone Fan Milk, Delifrost, and Nigerian Breweries, to mention a few.
As part of the 2024 Gastronomy Festival activities, there will be a live Cake Decoration competition amongst culinary schools in Nigeria.
The event, no doubt, will provide an avenue for major stakeholders in the Food and Beverage Industry to showcase their services and engage with the guests in a relaxed and fun-filled atmosphere.”
He said that there will be entertainment even as the awards will be given to a certain category of people before the curtain on the event is drawn. He said, The 2024 NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival will be rounded off in the evening with live musical performances by leading Nigerian artists at a Gala & Award Night where NIHOTOUR will induct new Fellows of the Institute for their outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the Hospitality and Tourism sectors in Nigeria.”
Just in case you were wondering what the organization represents and who are behind it. The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) is the lead parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria that is empowered by an Act of Parliament to Train, Certify and Register all personnel in Nigerias hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.
