NIHOTOUR to Co-Host 5th Edition of the ‘CMD Food Tour’ with 12 Participating Countries

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and the Organizing Committee of the 5th CMD Food Tour, scheduled to hold in Abuja on 25th November 2023, have confirmed that twelve countries will be showcasing their indigenous culinary delights and tourism destination offerings at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

CMD Food Tour is a renowned international foods and beverages exhibition that offers free sampling to the public.

The Managing Director of CMD Tourism & Trade Enterprises Limited, Ms. Mambo Cecile revealed that a total of twelve countries have confirmed their participation in the 5th edition of CMD Food Tour. These countries include Cameroun, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malaysia, Philippines, Burkina Faso, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Egypt, Botswana, and Uganda.

Ms. Mambo emphasized the success of the partnership between CMD Tourism & Trade Enterprises and NIHOTOUR in organizing this year’s event, evident from the increased number of participating countries. She also highlighted the support of notable sponsors such as Wakanow, Air Cote d’Ivoire, Rwanda Air, Royal Air Maroc, and Vava Furniture.

It is worth mentioning that NIHOTOUR and CMD Tourism & Trade Enterprises recently announced their collaboration to co-host the food exhibition, following the triumph of the 3rd NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival held in June at the Abuja International Conference Centre. The Director General of NIHOTOUR expressed the institute’s commitment to partnerships with hospitality and tourism stakeholders, aiming to enhance the Nigerian industry.

Nura Sani Kangiwa, the DG of NIHOTOUR, acknowledged the growing interest of Embassies and the Diplomatic Community in Nigeria towards tourism development events and opportunities. He emphasized the mutual benefits of this partnership, enhancing Nigerian culinary tourism and providing a platform for the participating countries. Kangiwa added that the 5th CMD Food Tour will consolidate NIHOTOUR’s efforts in positioning Nigeria as a leading gastronomy tourism destination in Africa.

Furthermore, the Director General of NIHOTOUR highlighted the institute’s objective to improve sector-specific knowledge and Nigeria’s capacity to host signature food festivals that showcase the nation’s traditions, cultures, and diverse hospitality offerings. NIHOTOUR is renowned for its annual NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival and ‘NaijaFoods’ exhibitions across Nigeria and West Africa. As a government parastatal, NIHOTOUR is responsible for training, certifying, and registering professionals in Nigeria’s travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. With 12 campuses nationwide, it provides hands-on training and upskilling programs at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.

The 5th edition of CMD Food Tour will feature a wide array of Nigerian and international foods and beverages, along with tourism destination products from the participating countries. Traditionally, CMD Food Tours have provided valuable networking opportunities for local produce farmers and inbound tour operators, enabling them to gain new insights into the food tourism business.