“This is going to be a landmark event in the annals of Thai and Asia-Pacific tourism, Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat declared last week. “We will take full advantage of this gathering of leading experts in the field of gastronomy tourism to strengthen the connections between Thailand’s two bedrock industries, agriculture and travel and tourism.”
The forum will focus on harnessing the power of technology as a driver for sustainable growth.
It will include a symposium, workshops and seminars in which experts in gastronomy tourism will discuss trends and challenges, exchange best practices and inspire discussion on intercultural dialogue and “gastro diplomacy”.
Delegates will tour four Bangkok districts, each of which have their own unique culinary characteristics. The first covers Bang Rak, Nang Loeng, Trok Khao Mao and Phra Nakhon and the second Talat Phlu, Talat Noi, Kudi Jeen and Klong Bang Luang.
Tourism Authority Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said his agency has made gastronomy tourism “an important part of its marketing strategy under the Thailand 4.0 socio-economic development plan.
“Thai cuisine is famous all over the world,” he said. “It is rare if a major city doesn’t boast a Thai restaurant, be it in the form of fine dining or takeaway.
“All our culinary delights have their roots in Thai agriculture, which was our bedrock source of economic livelihood well before tourism. Now, the government is more firmly linking both.”
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