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Saturday, June 29, 2024 The Philippines recently hosted the first-ever UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific. This landmark event brought together government officials, industry leaders, chefs, and community representatives to discuss the booming trend of food tourism in the region. Similar to the World Forum, the event was co-organized by UNWTO (The World Tourism Organization) and the Basque Culinary Centre, with the Philippines Department of Tourism as the host.

UNWTO focused on creating policy frameworks that enable member states to harness the economic and social benefits of gastronomy tourism. High-level representatives from Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Macau, and the Philippines participated in an opening ministerial dialogue. They emphasized the importance of developing policies that connect tourism with agriculture, culture, and rural development to maximize the positive impacts of food tourism.



Following UNWTO’s commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, the forum included academics, business leaders, community representatives, and renowned chefs. Discussions centered on ensuring that gastronomy tourism empowers local communities and respects local traditions. This includes using local ingredients, fostering stronger links with agriculture and creative industries, and blending heritage with contemporary trends.

Among the participating chefs were three UNWTO Ambassadors for Sustainable Tourism: Chef Pilar Rodriguez (Chile), Chef .

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