UNWTO to Hold World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Spain

Photo source: UNWTO.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will hold the 8th World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain, between October 5-7.

The event will focus on the theme of “Gastronomy Tourism: Back to the Roots” and explore how tourism can foster rural development, build economic resilience, and preserve cultural heritage.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili WTTC President (center). Photo source: UNWTO.

The forum will bring together industry professionals, leading experts, and institutional representatives from around the world to discuss a range of topics related to gastronomy tourism, such as:

• the role of gastronomy tourism in sustainable development
• the impact of food waste on the environment
• the promotion of local and seasonal produce
• the importance of cultural heritage in gastronomy tourism
• the use of technology to enhance the visitor experience.

Photo source: UNWTO.

The event will also feature a number of side events, including a UNWTO Gastronomy Pitch Challenge, where startups will pitch their innovative proposals for gastronomy tourism; culinary excursions to multiple Spanish regions, where forum attendees will taste local gastronomy; and the culinary exhibition “Culinary Plaza” organized by the Basque Culinary Center and will spotlight culinary specialties from destinations including Azerbaijan, Botswana, Porto (Portugal), Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe.

The forum is co-organized by the UNWTO and the Basque Culinary Center, with the support of the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Guipuzkoa, the City Council of San Sebastián, and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain.

The World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism is an annual event that was first held in 2015. The Forum is designed to promote the exchange of experiences between experts in tourism and gastronomy, identify good practices, and promote gastronomy tourism as a driver of sustainable development.