TOURISM : UN TOURISM LAUNCHES ITS FIRST REGIONAL FORUM ON GASTRONOMY TOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES

TTT NEWS NETWORK

KOLKATA, 13 JUNE 2024:

The First UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific will take place in Cebu, The Philippines, on 26-27 June 2024. Organized in conjunction with the 36th Joint Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific & the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia (36th CAP-CSA), it will mark the first time that the Gastronomy Forum is taken to the regional level.

First Regional Forum on Gastronomy Forum for Asia and the Pacific

Following its global success, the Forum, annually organized by UN Tourism and its Affiliate Member, the Basque Culinary Center (BCC), is now set to make its regional debut. Hosted by the Government of the Philippines, this inaugural regional edition promises to serve as a meeting point for experts and member states dedicated to enhancing the role of gastronomy tourism in destination development.

• The Forum will host a Ministerial dialogue to discuss policies to advance a roadmap on gastronomy tourism in the region.
• Underscoring the significance of preserving local traditions and protecting the land and products for the development of sustainable gastronomy tourism, a panel debate will discuss innovative strategies with examples from Japan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. The event will also welcome the participation of destinations and experts actively engaged in the advancement of gastronomy tourism as a tool for social inclusiveness, such as UN Tourism Ambassador  Chef Margarita Fores, as well as Chef Vicky Cheng from Hong Kong (China); Lionel Dabbadie, the FAO representative for the Philippines, along with representatives from JTB Corporation – the largest travel agency in Japan – and representatives from Jeju Tourism Organization (Republic of Korea), to present on two of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism, Sehwa and Dongbaek.
• Additionally, as part of an ongoing effort to promote sustainability, participants will explore cost-effective and environmentally responsible strategies to maximize the use of local sourcing and minimize food waste through prevention, circularity, and initiatives to combat climate change within gastronomy tourism.
• Set to welcome around 200 participants, this Forum will be also livestreamed. Registrations will be open until 16 June 2024.