For the delight of good food and fine gastronomic experiences lovers, IGCAT’s Top 10 Websites for Foodie Travelers 2022 were announced on 5 April, at a gala event held in Menorca, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022.
The Top Websites for Foodie Travelers initiative acknowledges websites that offer unique, creative, cultural and gastronomic experiences in the World and European Regions of Gastronomy. These include, but are not limited to: food and wine tastings; farm or factory visits; cookery classes; craft-related experience; food and/or wine route; food and/or wine markets or fairs; museums/heritage sites related to food.
This year, the top 10 include:
Prize for Cross-Sectoral Experiences Involving Multiple Stakeholders
NJOY Catalonia (Catalonia, European Regions of Gastronomy awarded 2016)
Prize for Supporting Mini-Enterprises in Providing Quality Experiences
Experience Catalonia (Catalonia awarded 2016)
Prize for Accessibility to International Travellers
Food Walk (Aarhus-Central Denmark awarded 2017)
Prize for Captivating Interface
RhodeTrip (South Aegean awarded 2019)
Prize for Promoting the European Region of Gastronomy Award
Taste Savo (Kuopio awarded 2020-2021)
Prize for Contribution to Sustainability
Taste Slovenia (Slovenia awarded 2021)
Prize for Promoting Local Food Products
Taste Coimbra Region (Coimbra Region awarded 2021-2022)
Prize for Educational, Inclusive, and/or Family-Friendly Experiences
Sa Cooperativa del Camp de Menorca (Menorca awarded 2022)
Prize for User-Friendliness
Cómete Menorca (Menorca awarded 2022)
Prize for Quality Information, Images, and Photos
Visit Trondheim (Trondheim-Trøndelag awarded 2022)
The websites submitted to this 1st edition of the competition were evaluated by an international jury of experts from IGCAT and the Regions of Gastronomy who assessed them according to a series of criteria such as usability, sustainability and creativity of the experiences offered, as well as their connection with the regions they promote.
The jury was chaired by Vice-President of IGCAT and expert in sustainable tourism, Dr. Edith M. Szivas and included: Levan Kharatishvili, CEO and founder of the Creative Strategies Lab; Emanuela Panke, General Manager of the Iter Vitis Les Chemins de la Vigne en Europe (Cultural Route of the Council of Europe); Sultan Alsaleh, Director of the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society and Executive Manager of Aseer, World Region of Gastronomy candidate 2024; Renata Vincek, Head of Projects Management at Kvarner Region Tourist Board; and Baptiste Resse, Executive Manager of Hauts-de-France, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2023.
The gala event was attended by representatives of the candidate and awarded World and European Regions of Gastronomy, who gathered in Menorca to celebrate the 24th IGCAT Best Practices Platform Meeting (4-7 April 2022).
Held at Aqua Marítim Restaurant in Mahón, the event was moderated by Spanish national TV presenter, Mercedes Milà and counted with the presence of Menorca’s Councillor for Economy, Josep Pastrana; Insular Director of Economy, Pilar Pons; Director of the Fundació Foment de Turisme de Menorca, Elena Costa; and Mayor of Mahón, Héctor Pons.
President of IGCAT, Diane Dodd PhD highlighted how “many of these initiatives give back to the circular economy and create a ripple effect felt throughout whole communities.”
On behalf of the international jury, Dr. Edith M. Szivas stated that «it was not an easy task for the jury to select the winners, both for the quality and for the quantity of the websites submitted. We see these websites as windows. Windows for the prospective visitors to get a glimpse of the destination. But also window opportunities for the visitor experiences that, without these portals, would find it difficult to reach the public.»
«In our evaluation we came across great storytelling and images, as well as innovative and immersive experiences. But we also saw a fantastic opportunity for the portals to learn from each other with the support of the World and European Region of Gastronomy Platform» she added.
The Top 10 Websites for Foodie Travelers 2022 will be given international visibility and will be permanently promoted on IGCAT’s website and social media.
About IGCAT’s Top Websites for Foodie Travelers
By publishing an annual list of Top Websites for Foodie Travelers, IGCAT aims to: increase international visitors access to quality food and cultural experiences; give international visibility to niche food and culture experiences; and reward portals and apps that support micro-businesses and contribute to sustainable territorial development.
In doing so, IGCAT hopes to encourage the development of new and unique food experiences initiatives or start-ups, and provide inspiration to build innovative, creative and positive food experiences.
About the European/World Regions of Gastronomy
Candidate and awarded European/World Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; drive environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; support balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlight and support expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practises; and contribute to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance to protect and promote distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguard our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
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 founded the European and World Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the World and European Regions of Gastronomy Platforms. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the World Food Gift Challenge, the Top Websites for Foodie Travelers Award and the Food Film Menu.