The UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomic Tourism Returns to Donostia-San Sebastián
The World Forum on Gastronomic Tourism will return to Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain (October 5-7) to focus on how tourism can promote rural development, generate economic resilience, and preserve cultural heritage.
Under the theme "Gastronomic Tourism: Back to the Roots," the Forum will highlight the connections between product, gastronomy, and tourism. Over three days, industry professionals, leading experts, and institutional representatives will engage in live debates, opening speeches, practical workshops, and cooking demonstrations with local and international chefs and producers.
The Premier Forum for Industry Leaders
The event will host many of the world's top figures in gastronomy and tourism, including Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO; Paolo Di Croce, General Director of Slow Food (Italy); Célia Tunc, Secretary-General of the Collège Culinaire de France; Fatmata Binta, winner of the BCWP 2022 and appointed as the UNWTO Ambassador for Responsible Tourism on the occasion; and confirmed speakers from Brazil, Croatia, Ecuador, Spain, France, Ghana, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Rwanda, and Switzerland.
In addition, forum attendees will have the opportunity to choose from five different excursions to experience and savor local gastronomy: "Rioja Alavesa, Excellence in Wine Tourism," "Rural Flavors of the Basque Country and the Idiazabal Region," "Urola Kosta: Fishing Villages, Dream Landscapes, and Flavors," "A Sea of Mountains, Gorbeialdea, and the Arratia Valley," and "Bizkaia – Urdaibai Coast."
Emphasizing the importance of preserving culinary traditions, this edition will also commemorate the tenth anniversary of the inclusion of the Mediterranean Diet in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Furthermore, the parallel event "Culinary Plaza," organized by the Basque Culinary Center, will showcase culinary specialties from destinations such as Azerbaijan, Botswana, Oporto (Portugal), Saudi Arabia, and Zimbabwe. Residents of Donostia-San Sebastián will have access to the Forum venue at Tabakalera.
Additionally, as part of the Forum, the UNWTO Gastronomy Pitch Challenge will be held in partnership with Culinary Action (the entrepreneurship arm of the Basque Culinary Center), where selected finalists from the UNWTO Startup Competitions will present their technology-driven innovative proposals and solutions for gastronomic tourism. To welcome and connect participants from around the world, the Forum will be conducted in a hybrid format.
Advancing Sustainability
Building on the Global Roadmap for Reducing Food Waste in Tourism, launched during the previous edition of the Forum, this year's discussions will advance conversations on food waste reduction, promoting circularity, and combating climate change within gastronomic tourism. Sustainable practices will be showcased, including reducing carbon footprint, promoting local and seasonal products, and transitioning to circular economy models.
The Forum has been co-organized by UNWTO and the Basque Culinary Center since 2015 with the aim of promoting the exchange of experiences among tourism and gastronomy experts, identifying best practices, and promoting gastronomic tourism as a driver of sustainable development.
Professionals interested in attending the 8th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomic Tourism can register online now.
The Forum was presented by Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UNWTO; Joxe Mari Aizega, General Director of the Basque Culinary Center; Félix De Paz García, Deputy General Director for Tourism Cooperation and Competitiveness of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism; Javier Hurtado, Minister of Tourism, Trade, and Consumer Affairs of the Basque Government; and Azahara Domínguez, Deputy for Mobility, Tourism, and Land Use Planning of the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council.
This year's Forum is organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Basque Culinary Center (BCC), with the support of the Basque Government, the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, the City Council of San Sebastián, and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism of Spain.
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8th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomic Tourism