Left photo: Markus Kalberer (far left) and Pierre Tami (far right) with leaders of the world famous Basque Culinary Centre | Right photo: 4th World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism.
The Academy of Culinary Arts, the ‘new baby’ on the block in culinary arts education in Asia, was recently introduced to internationally renowned hospitality colleges and the Basque Culinary Center, which excels in gastronomy, training and research and development.
Markus Kalberer, ACAC Dean, and ACAC founder, Pierre Tami, attended the 4th World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Bangkok, Thailand May 30-June 1.
During the Forum, Markus and Pierre were able to make many contacts at the conference and introduce the ACAC to the industry more widely.
Because of the Academy’s infrastructure and lecturers as well as Cambodia’s famous food products, like rice, pepper, salt and palm sugar, among others, Markus and Pierre believe the ACAC can play a pivotal role and lead the way in promoting culinary tourism in Cambodia.
Roughly 600 participants from 52 countries gathered for the Forum in Bangkok, Thailand. The two-day conference was organized by the UNWTO and the Government of Thailand in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Center.
“Gastronomy is a major driver for tourists when choosing a destination, in spite of which the potential of gastronomy tourism has still to be seized as an intangible cultural heritage. Gastronomy tourism is about harnessing technology to tell a story about people and places to preserve and promote authenticity in local communities,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili.
The UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism aims to promote innovative ideas that can help the development of gastronomy tourism worldwide. The ideas put forward during the previous editions of this forum are always founded upon sustainable development and new product development in gastronomy tourism.
On this occasion, the UNWTO launched the Report on Gastronomy Tourism: The Case of Japan.