The 9th edition of the UN Tourism World Gastronomy Tourism Forum will be held on 18 and 19 November.
The UN Tourism World Gastronomy Tourism Forum is one of the most important meetings for debate, reflection and exchange of experiences between experts in tourism and gastronomy. This year it celebrates its 9th edition on 18 and 19 November with a great novelty: it will be the first time it is held in the Middle East.
Organised in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) and hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, it will bring together world leaders, policy makers, industry experts and renowned chefs. The ultimate goal is to foster economic resilience, inclusiveness, sustainability and the creation of a strong destination image. As Joxe Mari Aizega, director of the Basque Culinary Center, explains, ‘gastronomy not only feeds the body, it also feeds the culture and the community’.
An extensive programme with renowned chefs
The Forum will feature speeches by Ministers of Tourism from around the world, accompanied by award-winning chefs such as Alejandra Espinoza (from Somos restaurant, Ecuador), Rudolf Stefan (from Kobona Pelegrini, Croatia) and Tim Brooke-Webb, CEO of 50 Best.
Last edition of the UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism. Forum editorial credit.
It will also highlight initiatives that highlight the origin and quality of products, such as From farm to table, an example of sustainable gastronomic tourism. Or the Collège Clinaire de France, recognised for promoting quality gastronomy and supporting artisans committed to preserving traditional know-how.
Sustainability at the heart of the event
The overarching theme of the Forum will be sustainability, with discussions on reducing food waste, integrating the principles of the circular economy and promoting local sourcing. For example, there will be a masterclass by LightBlue Consulting to delve into circular solutions for reducing food waste or a talk between celebrity chef Leyla Fathallah, active in UNEP’s Recipe of Change campaign against food waste, and the circular economy startup Ehfaaz, which specialises in closed-loop recycling.
In the form of presentations and debates, the forum will also examine crucial issues such as the use of intellectual property in the preservation of culinary heritage and biodiversity or in the promotion of authentic cultural experiences. The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the global Slow Food movement and the Creative Tourism Network will be involved.
Meta will also give a talk on the influence of social networks and technology on innovation.
