The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Atelier Concierge Services Limited to collaborate on the upcoming 2023 Gastronomy Festival. The MOU was signed at NIHOTOUR’s headquarters in Abuja, marking a strategic partnership to enhance the festival’s scope and impact.

The annual NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival, one of Africa’s most culturally diverse culinary events, will take place on June 16-17, 2023, at the Abuja International Conference Centre. Now in its third year, the festival is designed to promote Nigeria’s rich culinary traditions and highlight its vibrant cultural diversity. This year’s theme, “Culinary Arts: The Gateway to Growing Tourism Destinations,” emphasizes the critical role of food in boosting tourism.

Speaking at the MOU signing, NIHOTOUR Director-General Nura Sani Kangiwa noted that this year’s festival would be the largest yet, with an expanded lineup of participating brands and exhibitors showcasing an array of Nigerian and international foods and beverages. Kangiwa also stressed the importance of the partnership with Atelier Concierge Limited, a top travel, tourism, and hospitality firm in Nigeria, to elevate the festival’s reach.

Atelier Concierge CEO, Mrs. Cobbina-Shittu, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating that the festival provides an excellent platform to promote Nigeria’s tourism industry, cultural assets, and locally inspired cuisine. She highlighted Atelier Concierge’s commitment to enhancing tourism through innovation and creativity, noting that the partnership aligns with the company’s mission to bridge gaps in the industry.

The festival, which launched in 2021, aims to upskill Nigerian gastronomes and culinary artists by offering them exposure to global best practices in food preparation, presentation, and promotion, with a focus on traditional Nigerian cuisines. NIHOTOUR’s primary objective is to enhance expertise in the hospitality and tourism industry, especially for personnel in eateries, restaurants, and hotels across Nigeria’s tourist destinations.

Expected to attract over 5,000 visitors, the festival will feature signature activities such as cooking competitions between culinary schools, an essay writing/quiz contest for secondary school students, and exhibitions of African and European cuisines. There will also be culinary displays, including knife skills, fruit carving, and cake decoration. Conferences featuring prominent stakeholders in Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector will also be part of the event, with NIHOTOUR providing training and masterclasses for members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Travel Writers (ANJET).

The festival will conclude with a Gala Night, where individuals who have significantly contributed to the development of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry will be honored with the Fellowship of NIHOTOUR (FHTI). The winners of the culinary competitions will also receive awards during this celebratory evening.