Catalonia launches the membership campaign to promote the World Region of Gastronomy 2025
The Generalitat has drawn up a manifesto of adhesion so that entities, agents and people in the country who work to promote food production, Catalan gastronomy and wine and food tourism can join in organizing initiatives to celebrate this event.
The Minister of Business and Employment and the Minister of Climate Action have received the official recognition of this distinction from the president of the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism
The Minister for Business and Employment, Roger Torrent i Ramió, and the Minister for Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda, David Mascort i Subiranas, today received the plaque that officially distinguishes Catalonia as a World Region of Gastronomy in the year 2025, from the president of the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT), Diane Dodd. They did so within the framework of the celebration of the Gastronomic Forum in Barcelona.
This event marks the start of the preparation of new initiatives that, throughout next year, will be organized throughout the territory with the aim of positioning Catalonia as a major global benchmark for food and wine and gastronomy tourism.
The Generalitat has drawn up a manifesto of adhesion so that the entities, agents and people in the country who belong to the production, catering or wine and food tourism sector, can join the action plan for this event. This document, which includes the commitments that everyone who wants to participate must make, is accessible in the web enabled for the collection of adhesions.
Minister Torrent highlighted that with this award “We open a new scenario of opportunities for the country and position ourselves worldwide as a leading food and wine destination, generating new economic opportunities in the territory by involving different sectors, from primary to catering, including the food industry”The head of Business and Employment has assured that “the title of World Region of Gastronomy reinforces the transformation towards a more sustainable, balanced and diversified tourism model, which we are promoting around the National Commitment for Responsible Tourism”.
In relation to the organization of the event, the Climate Action Minister highlighted that "from now on we will start working to show the world that gastronomy and farming are two sides of the same coin" and highlighted that "behind the cuisines that dazzle the world, there is a farming community committed to environmental, economic and social sustainability". Regarding the events planned for next year, "we will be ambitious and will work to configure a program that is a legacy of the country. We have a unique proposal not only because of its culinary uniqueness, but because it is a reflection of every corner of the territory and its people", guaranteed the head of Climate Action.
In 2016, Catalonia obtained the title of European Region of Gastronomy. On that occasion, more than 500 entities, agents and people working to promote Catalan gastronomy held nearly 500 activities related to the product, cuisine and territory, of diverse dimensions and of different nature.
New initiatives to position Catalonia as a benchmark for food and wine and gastronomy tourism
Among the new initiatives that will be launched next year with the aim of highlighting food production, Catalan cuisine and Catalonia as a quality tourist destination is the International Week of the World Region of Gastronomy, which will take place in the main cities and countries where there are delegations of the Government of Catalonia, and which will include various events such as promotions in points of sale or restaurants, wine tasting, cultural evenings, debates, food and wine experiences, chef exchanges, etc.
Also noteworthy is the celebration of the Àpat Catalunya, a massive dinner in some emblematic street or public space in Barcelona in the style of a major festival, with the most iconic dishes and recipes of Catalan gastronomy taking centre stage. On the other hand, efforts will be made to ensure that the 9th World Wine Tourism Conference of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is held in Catalonia and the Som Gastronomia Tour 2025, a series of presentations in the main food and wine tourism source markets in Catalonia, aimed at operators, press and prescribers, with a technological and innovative component.
In addition, visibility will be given to the 130 unique landscapes of our country and the gastronomic offer that each of them offers, activities will be held that will connect art, sport, culture and Catalan cuisine, the National Food Awards will be promoted, an intense international agenda will be offered so that farming, food companies and the world of gastronomy of Catalonia can travel around the world and the tenth anniversary of Benvinguts a Pagès will be celebrated, an initiative that is a success and has managed to bring the city closer to the countryside.
The World Region of Gastronomy is an initiative promoted by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT). This title aims to highlight and promote those regions that actively contribute to improving the quality of life of citizens, claiming different food cultures, education for health and sustainability and gastronomic innovation. It is an award that brings credibility to the regions, as it is awarded by an independent and international jury of experts made up of people from different areas of competence such as tourism, culture, hospitality and agriculture.
An international jury has deliberated in favor of the Catalan candidacy
Last May, an international jury visited Catalonia to learn first-hand about the potential of the submitted candidacy. The jury valued, among other aspects, the dedication and professionalism of the people related to this field, as well as the desire to constantly progress. On the other hand, it considers that few places can compare to Catalonia, since it has a first-class cuisine, where the fusion of flavors and the exceptional raw materials make a unique gastronomic experience possible. Finally, it highlights that the landscapes are a testament to the commitment of the Catalan regions to quality, sustainability, tradition and innovation.
The distinction of World Region of Gastronomy 2025 highlights Catalan food production, cuisine and tourist destination, as well as the culinary legacy, linked to innovation and talent, that has made Catalonia the country in the world where people eat and drink best. In the coming years, the country will have the opportunity to demonstrate that it has food producers, chefs and a tourism sector of excellence that have made this recognition possible and that, in Catalonia, food is culture.
New initiatives to position Catalonia as a benchmark for food and wine and gastronomy tourism
Among the new initiatives that will be launched next year with the aim of highlighting food production, Catalan cuisine and Catalonia as a quality tourist destination is the International Week of the World Region of Gastronomy, which will take place in the main cities and countries where there are delegations of the Government of Catalonia, and which will include various events such as promotions in points of sale or restaurants, wine tasting, cultural evenings, debates, food and wine experiences, chef exchanges, etc.
Also noteworthy is the celebration of the Àpat Catalunya, a massive dinner in some emblematic street or public space in Barcelona in the style of a major festival, with the most iconic dishes and recipes of Catalan gastronomy taking centre stage. On the other hand, efforts will be made to ensure that the 9th World Wine Tourism Conference of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is held in Catalonia and the Som Gastronomia Tour 2025, a series of presentations in the main food and wine tourism source markets in Catalonia, aimed at operators, press and prescribers, with a technological and innovative component.
In addition, visibility will be given to the 130 unique landscapes of our country and the gastronomic offer that each of them offers, activities will be held that will connect art, sport, culture and Catalan cuisine, the National Food Awards will be promoted, an intense international agenda will be offered so that farming, food companies and the world of gastronomy of Catalonia can travel around the world and the tenth anniversary of Benvinguts a Pagès will be celebrated, an initiative that is a success and has managed to bring the city closer to the countryside.
The World Region of Gastronomy is an initiative promoted by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT). This title aims to highlight and promote those regions that actively contribute to improving the quality of life of citizens, claiming different food cultures, education for health and sustainability and gastronomic innovation. It is an award that brings credibility to the regions, as it is awarded by an independent and international jury of experts made up of people from different areas of competence such as tourism, culture, hospitality and agriculture.
