The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) hosted the “International Gastronomy Forum, Macao” at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf in Nape yesterday, aiming to foster exchanges within the Creative Cities of Gastronomy network.
The one-day forum, according to an MGTO statement, brought together representatives of 35 UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy from all over world and other guests for an exchange of culinary insights and creativity through keynote presentations and panel discussions. It aimed to foster the sustainable development of gastronomy and meaningful dialogues among Creative Cities of Gastronomy, delivering Macau’s impact as an international exchange platform.
MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said in a speech that as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Macau has rolled out a series of gastronomic initiatives in active support of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, garnering positive feedback along the way. Carrying on the success of last year, the forum once again convened as part of the “International Cities of Gastronomy Fest, Macao” this year, to make a far-reaching impact as an international exchange platform, she said.
Macau’s veteran tourism chief underlined that “we strive to share Macau’s unique gastronomic culture with the world, foster international exchange and steer our tourism towards sustainable development.”
Senna Fernandes told reporters about theme of the forum – “The Spice of Life: Macao’s Culinary Connections” – that it united delegates from 35 UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy to assess spices’ global culinary influence and Macau’s pivotal Silk Road role, while its “2025 International Cities of Gastronomy Fest Macao”, which opened on Friday and ends this coming Sunday, attracted over 36,000 visitors during its first three days.
She also said that MGTO is intensifying its promotions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to leverage China’s new visa-free policy vis-à-vis these Middle Eastern nations, while planning culinary-and-cultural pop-up events in Nape this and next month to diversify the city’s cultural tourism offerings.
According to a statement late last night, 15 culinary experts and leading professionals in the catering industry from near and far joined yesterday’s three panel discussion sessions themed “A History and Legacy of Spices: Tracing Fusion Cuisines’ Culinary Roots”, “A Symphony of Flavours: Fusion Cuisine in Modern Macao and Beyond” and “Spice as a Bridge: Celebrating Cultural Fusion and Communities”.
The Post published a story about the Gastronomy Fest on Friday last week, headlined “Macao starts 2025 gastronomy fest, gathering flavors worldwide”.
https://www.macaupostdaily.com/news/25394
Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes (centre), flanked by other guests, officiates at yesterday’s opening ceremony of the “International Gastronomy Forum, Macao” at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf in Nape. – Photo: MGTO
