BAHRAIN – The world’s largest gastronomy tourism event, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism will be held at the Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir on November 18 and 19.
The upcoming gastronomy tourism event in Bahrain, organized in collaboration with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and Spain’s Basque Culinary Centre (BCC), marks the first time the Middle East will host this global gathering.
With a theme of ‘Gastronomy Tourism: A Driver of Economic Diversification and Inclusion,’ the event is expected to attract over 400 attendees.
The conference will address the potential of Middle Eastern cuisine to enhance cultural diplomacy and bolster the region’s image internationally.
Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairafi, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, and BCC Director-General Joxe Aizega will be among the key figures attending.
Spanning two days, the event will feature announcements on new international restaurant openings in Bahrain and collaborations among local, regional, and global stakeholders.
According to a joint statement from BTEA and UNWTO, the forum builds on the previous year’s emphasis on gastronomy tourism’s role in rural development and resilience, focusing this year on economic diversification and inclusion through engagement across the gastronomy value chain.
A primary topic will be destination branding, with discussions on strategies for leveraging gastronomy to strengthen a location’s identity.
Additional sessions will address sustainable growth and inclusivity, with the overall aim of enhancing the destination’s appeal.
UNWTO’s Middle East Regional Director Basmah Al Mayman is set to speak on positioning Middle Eastern gastronomy on the global stage, while a masterclass with a Meta representative will cover how social media and technology can showcase culinary assets.
Other sessions will explore slow food’s role in preserving heritage and biodiversity, as well as strategies for addressing food waste and promoting local sourcing.
BTEA chief executive Sara Buhiji will be speaking on the second day of the forum in a panel debate which will explore how to promote local cuisines and traditions to enhance a destination’s brand, attract tourists and create a unique sense of place.
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