Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Bahrain hosted the 9th UN Gastronomy Tourism Forum, uniting global leaders and chefs to explore sustainability, inclusion, and culinary innovation.
The Middle East hosted the World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for the first time, with Bahrain bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and celebrated chefs to discuss sustainability and community empowerment.
The 9th edition of the UN Tourism Gastronomy Forum, held in Manama on November 18-19, revolved around the theme “Gastronomy Tourism: A Driver of Economic Diversification and Inclusion.” Co-organized by the Basque Culinary Center and Bahrain’s Ministry of Tourism, the event attracted 500 participants from 50 nations, spotlighting the region’s rich culinary traditions.
Global Leaders Convene for Ministerial Dialogue
The forum’s Ministerial Dialogue welcomed distinguished leaders, including Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism, H.E. Fatima J. Al Sairafi, the Philippines’ Tourism Secretary, H.E. Christina Garcia Frasco, and Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of International Affairs, H.E. Sultan AlMusallam. Discussions centered on crafting policies that harness gastronomy tourism to empower local communities, diversify economies, and boost destinations’ competitiveness.
Showcasing Arab Gastronomy on the Global Stage
A panel titled “Positioning Arab Gastronomy in the World” highlighted Arab cuisine as a means of cultural diplomacy. Representatives from Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar shared insights on leveraging culinary heritage to strengthen cultural ties and enhance global appreciation for the region’s traditions. Another session explored how culinary identity shapes global perceptions and elevates destination branding.
Renowned Chefs Lead Thoughtful Discussions
Globally acclaimed chefs headlined the event, including Chef Sergio Torres of Spain’s 3-Michelin-starred Cocina Hermanos Torres, Chef Deepanker Khosla of Thailand, the Sustainable Restaurant Award winner at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024, and Bahraini culinary experts Nader Qannati and Abdel Hameed. Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director of The World’s 50 Best, also contributed valuable perspectives on how gastronomy rankings influence tourism and culinary innovation.
The forum also celebrated the appointment of new UN Ambassadors for Gastronomy Tourism, featuring notable names like 2-Michelin-starred Chef Diego Guerrero (Spain), 1-Michelin-starred Chef Rudolf Štefan (Croatia), and Bahraini Chef Tala Bashmi.
Innovation and Sustainability Take Center Stage
Sustainability was a recurring theme, with masterclasses and sessions focusing on reducing food waste, embracing circular economies, and promoting local sourcing. Experts highlighted how sustainable practices in gastronomy tourism can minimize environmental impacts, foster inclusive growth, and enhance resilience.
Innovation was equally prominent, with Meta unveiling future trends in gastronomy tourism and conducting a masterclass on leveraging social media and technology to reshape the industry.
The 4th UN Tourism Gastronomy Startup Competition culminated in the Final Pitch Challenge, showcasing groundbreaking ideas for policy innovation and community engagement. Agrojusto from Argentina emerged as the winner, recognized for its transformative approach to sustainable gastronomy tourism.
Scholarships for Future Leaders in Gastronomy Tourism
In a special announcement, the Basque Culinary Center, in partnership with UN Tourism, introduced three scholarships for its Online Course in Gastronomy Tourism Experience Design, set to begin in March 2025. Applications, open until December 19, 2024, aim to make specialized training more accessible for professionals in the sector.
The forum underscored Bahrain’s growing prominence as a hub for gastronomic innovation, sustainability, and cultural diplomacy.
