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UNWTO presents the 3rd World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently hosted the presentation of the third World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism at its headquarters in Madrid. The event will take place in Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain, on the 8th & 9th of May 2017.
The Forum is organised by the UNWTO in collaboration with one of its affiliate members, the Basque Culinary Center, as part of the UNWTO Gastronomy Network’s activities. The third edition will focus on the links between gastronomy tourism and sustainability in the framework of the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.
The first edition of the Forum took place in Donostia-San-Sebastian, the second was in Lima, Peru, in 2016, and it returns to Donostia-San Sebastian in 2017, where it will be held every second year.
“The relationship between food and culture has become a major motivation for people travelling, but it’s also an important catalyst of sustainable tourism, given that gastronomy brings out the most authentic features of each destination,” said the UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, at the Forum presentation.
“Gastronomy tourism has incredible potential and is a priority for Spain’s tourism promotion strategy due to its increasing relevance, particularly in rural destinations, (8.4 million international tourists, 12.3% of the total number of tourists for 2015, took part in gastronomy related activities)” said Matilde Pastora Asian González, Spain’s Secretary of Tourism.
The event will bring together leading experts in gastronomy tourism to discuss the latest trends and share factual case studies and innovative products. Topics to be discussed will include the so-called “farm to table” processes, sustainable product development, favourable public policies and the benefits of gastronomy tourism.
“Gastronomy tourism is a growing phenomenon, and our aim is to create a space to share, reflect, analyse and work towards improving this tourism segment,” said Joxe Mari Aizega, Director General of the Basque Culinary Center.
In addition to the presentations, there will also be working sessions, giving all the participants the chance to interact and share ideas. In parallel to the Forum’s official programme, a wide range of events are organised at a number of gastronomy hubs showcasing the extraordinary range of products offered.
On the occasion of the Forum, UNWTO will release the second volume of the Global Report on Gastronomy Tourism. The publication analyses current trends in gastronomy tourism and the methodologies involved in product development. |
