In light of the significant impact that the current coronavirus crisis is having on their communities, the European Regions of Gastronomy guided by IGCAT are joining forces to support their local economies.
A first brainstorming webinar was held on 2 April 2020 to share opportunities to assist local food and hospitality businesses in the regions that are facing huge challenges due to the restrictive measures applied all over Europe to limit the virus outbreak.
The meeting aimed to identify good practises from all over Europe to help micro and small enterprises both in the shorter and longer run, enhancing their possibilities to survive the crisis and re-prosper in the future. These good practises will feed into a dynamic collection accessible to the Regions of Gastronomy that will be regularly updated.
Two main conclusions were drafted concerning, on the one hand, the importance that short food value chains have quickly gained during the emergency situation. A shift to local consumption that the Regions of Gastronomy should strive to maintain far beyond the crisis.
On the other hand, in the near future visitors are predicted to prefer domestic tourism over international travelling once the movement bans will be lifted, thus regions will need to focus their efforts in that direction.
Finally, participants in the webinar highlighted that solidarity and mutual support among the Regions of Gastronomy will be vital to overcome the crisis and the opportunity should be seized to enhance cross-marketing actions.
About the European Region of Gastronomy
Candidate and awarded Regions of Gastronomy from Europe, guided by IGCAT, are working together to raise awareness about the importance of their cultural and food uniqueness; stimulate creativity and gastronomic innovation; educate for better nutrition; improve sustainable tourism standards; highlight distinctive food cultures; and strengthen community well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance to safeguard and promote distinct food, culture, arts and sustainable tourism assets. This is essential to balance against globalised food trends that are impacting on our planet, health 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 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 Visitor Experience and the Food Film Menu.
3 April 2020
