First Regional Forum on Gastronomy Forum for Asia and the Pacific

• The Forum will host a Ministerial dialogue to discuss policies to advance a roadmap on gastronomy tourism in the region.
• Underscoring the significance of preserving local traditions and protecting the land and products for the development of sustainable gastronomy tourism, a panel debate will discuss innovative strategies with examples from Japan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. The event will also welcome the participation of destinations and experts actively engaged in the advancement of gastronomy tourism as a tool for social inclusiveness, such as UN Tourism Ambassador Chef Margarita Fores, as well as Chef Vicky Cheng from Hong Kong (China); Lionel Dabbadie, the FAO representative for the Philippines, along with representatives from JTB Corporation – the largest travel agency in Japan – and representatives from Jeju Tourism Organization (Republic of Korea), to present on two of the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism, Sehwa and Dongbaek.
• Additionally, as part of an ongoing effort to promote sustainability, participants will explore cost-effective and environmentally responsible strategies to maximize the use of local sourcing and minimize food waste through prevention, circularity, and initiatives to combat climate change within gastronomy tourism.
• Set to welcome around 200 participants, this Forum will be also livestreamed. Registrations will be open until 16 June 2024.

Photo credit © UNWTO