{"id":16251,"date":"2017-12-12T17:54:32","date_gmt":"2017-12-12T16:54:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/igcat.org\/?p=16251"},"modified":"2017-12-12T17:54:32","modified_gmt":"2017-12-12T16:54:32","slug":"igcat-applauded-fostering-sustainable-tourism-2nd-unescounwto-world-conference-culture-tourism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/igcat.org\/fr\/igcat-applauded-fostering-sustainable-tourism-2nd-unescounwto-world-conference-culture-tourism\/","title":{"rendered":"IGCAT applauded for fostering sustainable tourism at 2nd UNESCO\/UNWTO World Conference on Culture and Tourism"},"content":{"rendered":"
IGCAT<\/strong> and its flagship Regions of Gastronomy Platform<\/strong> and Award<\/strong> was applauded at the\u00a02nd UNESCO\/UNWTO World Conference on Culture and Tourism<\/a>,<\/strong>\u00a0as a leading initiative fostering sustainable cultural tourism development<\/strong>. The World Conference, held in Muscat, Oman<\/strong> 11-12 December 2017, \u00a0brought together world leaders including \u00a0Taleb Rifai, UNWTO<\/a> Secretary-General, H.E. Ahmed Bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, Minister of Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, Ms Eliza Jean Reid, First Lady of Iceland and good will ambassadors such as H.R.H. Princess Dana Firas.<\/p>\n Key topics<\/strong> from the conference covered tourism for peace<\/strong>, preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage<\/strong>, the role of urban and rural environments<\/strong> and protection of biodiversity<\/strong> as a core value to build sustainable tourism.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Conserving intangible culture<\/strong> as a means to protect the planet<\/strong> was the subject of the panel that IGCAT\u2019s President, Dr. Diane Dodd<\/strong> took part in. She made the point that \u00ab\u00a0supporting entrepreneurship, SME’s and the protection of traditional knowledge are all compatible with serving sustainable tourism.<\/em>\u00a0\u00bb The panel highlighted the need to bring different stakeholders into participatory processes<\/strong>; to empower local communities<\/strong> and build pride<\/strong> in local food and culture. \u00a0It also raised important concerns about the urgent need to address biodiversity<\/strong>. Diane Dodd also reminded the audience that it is often lesser visible or economically developed regions that provide the most exciting and unspoilt treasure troves; and that these have the biggest potential to grow sustainable tourism initiatives.<\/p>\n A number of world regions expressed an interest in becoming a Region of Gastronomy<\/strong> and bilateral meetings were held together with Dr. Edith M Szivas<\/strong>, Executive Board member of IGCAT who also attended the conference. The two day event concluded with the draft Muscat Declaration being read to participants. Enormous thanks and respect were extended to the Sultanate of Oman for the generous hospitality and wonderful introduction to Omani culture.<\/p>\n About the European Regions of Gastronomy\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The\u00a0European Region of Gastronomy\u00a0Platform and Award<\/strong>\u00a0aim to contribute to better quality of life in European regions, by highlighting distinctive food cultures, educating for better health and sustainability, and stimulating gastronomic innovation. It provides cross-marketing opportunities and longer-term benefits. Being part of the European Region of Gastronomy Platform and bidding for the award brings a range of stakeholders together to confront development challenges in the region.<\/p>\n About IGCAT<\/strong><\/p>\n IGCAT<\/strong>\u00a0is a non-profit organisation established in 2012 working in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism.\u00a0Through its worldwide\u00a0network of experts<\/a>, IGCAT aims to\u00a0empower local communities<\/strong>\u00a0by guiding, facilitating, and supporting local leaders in cities, regions and cultural projects to understand the potential of their distinct food, culture, arts and sustainable tourism assets.<\/p>\n IGCAT<\/strong>\u00a0is furthermore the official secretariat for the\u00a0Region of Gastronomy Platform<\/a>\u00a0and provides the\u00a0European Region of Gastronomy Award<\/a>, the\u00a0European Young Chef Award<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Innovative Food Souvenir Award.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IGCAT and its flagship Regions of Gastronomy Platform and Award was applauded at the\u00a02nd UNESCO\/UNWTO World Conference on Culture and Tourism,\u00a0as a leading initiative fostering sustainable cultural tourism development. The World Conference, held in Muscat, Oman 11-12 December 2017, \u00a0brought together world leaders including \u00a0Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General, H.E. Ahmed Bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, Minister […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":16252,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[145,146,734,444,473,478],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n