The 9th UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism will take place in Manama, Bahrain, on November 18-19, with the theme “Gastronomy Tourism: A Driver of Economic Diversification and Inclusion.”
This marks the first time the forum will be held in the Middle East.
Bringing together global leaders, policymakers, industry experts and renowned chefs, the event will emphasize the transformative power of gastronomy tourism in advancing economic resilience, inclusivity, sustainability, and building a strong image for destinations.
Co-organised with the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) and hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, discussions will feature Ministers of Tourism from around the world and from the Middle East. Joining them will be award-winning chefs.
The forum will highlight key initiatives that emphasize product quality and origins, such as Jordan’s ‘From Farm to Fork’ initiative, an example of sustainable culinary tourism.
In line with discussions on leveraging intangible cultural heritage, the forum will explore key themes such as the use of intellectual property and branding to enhance destination branding, the preservation of culinary heritage and biodiversity, and the promotion of authentic, immersive cultural experiences that engage the entire gastronomy tourism value chain. Experts from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the global Slow Food movement, and the Creative Tourism Network will address these topics.
Sustainability will remain a core focus, with discussions on reducing food waste, integrating circular economy principles, and promoting local sourcing.