How culture, heritage, and tourism can drive social innovation and sustainable development was the central focus of the 12th Training Academy on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, held in Torres Vedras, Portugal, from 11 to 13 June 2025. IGCAT was honoured to be invited to contribute to this exclusive
An international jury of five esteemed experts covering different sectors (including education, primary sector, biodiversity, culture, hospitality and tourism), accompanied by IGCAT’s President, Dr. Diane Dodd, convened to evaluate Dalmatia’s application for the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2027. Following the submission of the draft bid book, Central Dalmatia
We recently explored how regenerative, verified food systems can contribute to building more resilient and self-reliant gastronomy regions in the webinar “Building Regenerative Gastronomy through Verified Food Systems“, hosted by IGCAT in collaboration with our partner, Regenerative Vanua — a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fostering resilient island communities (Vanuas) in the Pacific.
The 29th Platform Meeting of the World Regions of Gastronomy took place in Sicily in May 5-9 2025, bringing together regional representatives, cultural and food experts, and key stakeholders committed to promoting sustainable food systems, local development, and regional cooperation through gastronomy. Hosted by Sicily, European Region of Gastronomy 2025,
In celebration of food heritage and cultural identity, IGCAT’s 6th World Food Gift Challenge recognised 12 exceptional food and food-related craft products, selected by an international jury of experts. Hosted by Sicily, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2025, the competition brought international recognition to artisanal producers whose unique gifts represent
In a celebratory move for Romanian gastronomy, Dobrogea has officially become a candidate for the European Region of Gastronomy 2029, following in the footsteps of Sibiu (2019), Harghita (2027) and candidate region Banat (candidate 2028). The Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the 29th Platform Meeting hosted by Sicily, European
In a significant milestone for Romania’s culinary landscape, Banat officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts, and Tourism), confirming its candidacy for the European Region of Gastronomy 2028 and entry into the World region of Gastronomy Platform. The signing took place during the
Central Dalmatia officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts, and Tourism), confirming its candidacy for the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title. The signing was celebrated during the 29th Platform Meeting hosted by Sicily, European Region of Gastronomy 2025 – from 5–9 May 2025
Speaking at the Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macao, Gloria Guevara, Chief Special Advisor at the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, called for a transformative shift in the global tourism sector. She emphasized the need to redefine tourism’s role beyond leisure, positioning it as a powerful force for socio-economic
The impactful potential of reducing single-use plastics to foster both cultural and systemic change took centre stage during the webinar The Power of Plastic Free July, hosted by IGCAT in collaboration with its valued partner, Plastic Free Foundation – a global non-profit organization working to end plastic waste and inspire
This documentary highlights growing calls from African farmers to reclaim food sovereignty and, questions whether philanthropy is helping or hindering sustainable development across the continent. Philanthropic initiatives by global foundations such as the Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and AGRA, intended to combat hunger in Africa are investigated, as possibly having
The critical role of genebanks in reviving crop diversity, reconnecting farmers with underutilized crop varieties, and strengthening local food systems was the subject of the webinar Connecting Genebanks with Farmers and Communities – Restoring Crop Diversity for Resilient Food Systems, hosted by IGCAT with guest speakers from recent partner, Crop
Human activities, such as pollution and climate change, are altering ecosystems worldwide, yet the anticipated trend of biotic homogenization is not as straightforward as expected. A large-scale study across 97,000 sites reveals that while biodiversity declines and community composition shifts, the impacts are far from uniform. This research highlights that
A recent study, synthesizing over 2,000 global studies, confirms that human activities are driving biodiversity loss across the planet. Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology and the University of Zurich conducted the study, covering nearly 100,000 sites across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitats. The findings
The Hotel Schools of Distinction (HSD) Annual Meeting, hosted by EUHT StPOL, brought together leading educators to explore the transformative power of storytelling and gamification in hospitality education. This gathering provided an opportunity for thought leaders to share innovative approaches to shaping the future of the industry. IGCAT’s President, Dr.
The International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Art and Tourism (IGCAT) is pleased to announce the launch of the new official website for the prestigious Top Foodie Websites competition. This annual competition highlights the most innovative and impactful platforms that connect food, culture, and sustainability. The newly launched website serves as a
