About

Gastronomy Tourism for People and Planet:
Innovate, Empower and Preserve

Background and objectives:

Gastronomy is an integral part of the experience of local life and livelihoods, building on the history, culture, traditions, identity, economy, and community of people and places worldwide. Gastronomy tourism also has the potential to enrich the tourist experience and establish connections with local communities.

The overall trends in tourism and the values of tourists are changing accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelers are now venturing out to seek for more meaningful and responsible engagement with local communities and cultures more than ever before.

As a next step in advancing efforts for global tourism recovery and transformation, the 7th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, organized with the Basque Culinary Center, to be held in Nara, Japan, will continue to put the spotlight on the role of gastronomy tourism as a platform for promoting sustainable social development and the responsible use of food as a valuable resource, empowering women, creating opportunities for the younger generations, and nurturing future talents.

Held under the theme “Gastronomy Tourism for People and Planet: Innovate, Empower and Preserve”, the 7th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, will focus on the role of gastronomy tourism in:

• Promoting women empowerment and young talents
• Advancing cultural exchange and authenticity: connecting to the roots, respecting nature and culture, and promoting health and wellbeing
• Enhancing the value for destinations and food producers
• Best practices in destination branding through gastronomy tourism
• Supporting a Global Roadmap on Food Waste Reduction in Tourism

It will also discuss the power of gastronomy tourism in enriching the experiences of travellers and tourists, while creating connections with local residents, their culture, history, nature, and heritage.

Once again, the Forum presents a unique opportunity for experts from across the growing field of gastronomy tourism to share new ideas and best practices and place the two sectors at the centre of plans for recovery in post covid-19 times.