ZAMBIAN GASTRONOMY: A JOURNEY INTO THE CULINARY LANDSCAPE DRIVING HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Food, a significant facet of culture, serves as a powerful tourist attraction, encapsulating local skills and knowledge deeply rooted in geographical and cultural contexts. Within the realm of food lies the essence of indigenous identity, offering visitors a gateway to immersive cultural experiences. Food not only serves as a medium of cultural inheritance but also symbolizes an avenue for preserving and sharing the heritage of a particular culture. However, the influence of cultural diffusion has caused shifts in traditional food utilization, rendering some practices obsolete and blending others with imported traditions.

This research centers on Zambia's utilization of traditional food within its food catering services, seeking to gauge the extent to which traditional food contributes to the development of the hospitality and tourism industry. By understanding the impact of traditional food in this context, this study delves into the intricate relationship between culinary traditions and the thriving tourism sector.