Tourexpi
This
marks the first time the Forum will be held in the Middle East. Bringing
together global leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and renowned chefs,
the event will emphasize the transformative power of gastronomy tourism in
advancing economic resilience, inclusivity, sustainability, and building a
strong image for destinations.
Top
chefs join sector leaders
Co-organized
with the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) and hosted by the Kingdom
of Bahrain, discussions will feature Ministers of Tourism from around the
world and from the Middle East. Joining them will be award-winning chefs, such
as Chef Alejandra Espinoza of Somos Restaurant (Ecuador), and Chef Rudolf
Stefan of Konoba Pelegrini (Croatia). Key participation will include Tim
Brooke-Webb, Managing Director of 50 Best, empowering chefs worldwide, and
fostering a global dialogue that elevates gastronomy as a fundamental cultural,
economic, and creative force.
The
forum will highlight key initiatives that emphasize product quality and
origins, such as Jordan's "From Farm to Fork" initiative, an example
of sustainable culinary tourism, and the Collège Culinaire de France,
recognized for promoting quality dining and supporting artisans committed to
preserving traditional savoir-faire. The event will also showcase Grupo Sagardi
from Spain, a leading hospitality group that builds on gastronomic roots to
offer authentic, high-quality culinary experiences.
In
line with discussions on leveraging intangible cultural heritage, the forum
will explore key themes such as the use of intellectual property and branding
to enhance destination branding, the preservation of culinary heritage and
biodiversity, and the promotion of authentic, immersive cultural experiences
that engage the entire gastronomy tourism value chain. Experts from the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the global Slow Food movement, and
the Creative Tourism Network will address these topics.
Food
Waste and innovation keys for sustainability
Sustainability
will remain a core focus, with discussions on reducing food waste, integrating
circular economy principles, and promoting local sourcing. A masterclass by
LightBlue Consulting (Thailand) will delve into circular solutions for food
waste reduction, followed by a session featuring contributions from renowned
chef and UNEP food waste advocate for Recipe of Change, Leyla Fathallah (UAE),
the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme coordinator (UNEP), and Ehfaaz
(UAE), a circular economy start-up specializing in closed-loop recycling.
Innovation
will also be a key pillar of the event, with Meta leading a masterclass on the
impact of social media and technology in reshaping gastronomy tourism. A panel
discussion will further explore how to build a destination's image through
gastronomy. In addition, the Forum will host the final of the 4th UN
Tourism Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition, where startups from
around the world will present innovative solutions aimed at addressing
challenges within the gastronomy tourism sector.
Live
cooking demonstrations by Bahraini chefs will offer participants an immersive
experience of Bahrain's unique culinary traditions, while side activities will
allow participants to explore the country's rich cultural and historical
heritage.
Registrations
are open until 31 October 2024.
Image
Credit: © UN Tourism
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