Dr. Diane Dodd (IGCAT President), Dr. Edith Szivas (IGCAT Vice-President), Francisco de Calheiros (Minho, European Regions of Gastronomy 2016) and Renata Martinčič, Director-General, Ministry of Economic Development and Technology (Slovenia, European Region of Gastronomy 2021) were amongst the honoured guests at the Global Tourism Economic Forum (GTEF), celebrated in Macau, 22-25 October 2018. The meeting took place within the framework for the EU-China Year and thus was supported by the European Travel Commission and European Union.
Peter DeBrine, Senior Project Officer, Sustainable Tourism, UNESCO World Heritage Centre moderated the session Gastronomy, Creativity, Tourism. Since he joined the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in 2011, he has been spearheading the development of a new World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme that support local communities. On behalf of IGCAT, Diane Dodd outlined the successes of the European Region of Gastronomy Platform and invited interested world regions to present them for the award in 2023.
About the Region of Gastronomy Award
Regions of Gastronomy from Europe, guided by IGCAT, are currently working together to raise awareness about the importance of their cultural and food uniqueness and share the long-term aim to: promote a better quality of life in European regions; highlight distinctive food cultures; educate for better health and sustainability; nurture creativity; improve tourism standards; and stimulate gastronomic innovation. This initiative is now opening up to world regions. For more information visit: http://igcat.org/projects/region-of-gastronomy-award/.
About IGCAT
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations.
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by guiding, facilitating, and supporting leaders in regions to understand the potential of their distinct food, culture, arts and sustainable tourism assets.
IGCAT provides the Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the European Region of Gastronomy Platform. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the Local Food Gift Challenge, the Top Food Experiences of the Year and the Food Film Festivals project.