Bahrain Hosts World Gastronomy Tourism Forum

The 9th UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism will be held in Manama, Bahrain, from November 18 to 19. The theme is “Gastronomy Tourism: A Driver of Economic Diversification and Inclusion.” 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

The event, co-organized with the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) and hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, will feature discussions with Ministers of Tourism worldwide and the Middle East. Award-winning chefs such as Chef Alejandra Espinoza of Somos Restaurant (Ecuador) and Chef Rudolf Stefan of Konoba Pelegrini (Croatia) will also participate. Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director of 50 Best, will be crucial in empowering chefs worldwide and fostering a global dialogue that elevates gastronomy as a fundamental cultural, economic, and creative force.

The forum will emphasize key initiatives that highlight product quality and origins. For example, Jordan’s “From Farm to Fork” initiative promotes sustainable culinary tourism. At the same time, the Collège Culinaire de France is recognized for supporting artisans committed to preserving traditional savoir-faire and promoting quality dining. The event will also showcase Grupo Sagardi from Spain, a leading hospitality group that offers authentic, high-quality culinary experiences rooted in gastronomy.

The forum will focus on leveraging intangible cultural heritage. It will explore key themes such as using intellectual property and branding to enhance destination branding, preserving culinary heritage and biodiversity, and promoting 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 continue to be a significant focus, with discussions on reducing food waste, implementing circular economy principles, and promoting local sourcing. LightBlue Consulting (Thailand) will host a masterclass on circular solutions for food waste reduction, followed by a session featuring contributions from renowned chef and UNEP food waste advocate Leyla Fathallah (UAE), the coordinator of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme (UNEP), and Ehfaaz (UAE), a circular economy start-up specializing in closed-loop recycling.

The event will prioritize innovation, with Meta leading a masterclass on how social media and technology reshape gastronomy tourism. A panel discussion will also be on building a destination’s image through gastronomy. Additionally, the Forum will host the final of the 4th UN Tourism Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition, where startups worldwide will present innovative solutions to address challenges in the gastronomy tourism sector.

Bahraini chefs will show live cooking demonstrations to give participants an immersive experience of Bahrain’s unique culinary traditions. There will also be side activities for participants to explore the country’s rich cultural and historical heritage. Registration is open until October 31, 2024.