MGTO Represents Macao at Groundbreaking UNESCO Gastronomy Event in Phuket

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Representing Macao, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) participated in the inaugural UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy Annual Conference in Phuket, Thailand, from May 10-12. The conference brought together member cities from the UNESCO Creative Cities Network specializing in gastronomy to engage in meaningful discussions and share best practices to advance as creative cities of gastronomy. This gathering fostered closer collaboration among member cities and enhanced Macao’s global stature and influence.

Hosted by Phuket, the conference spanned three days and featured a rich program of keynote speeches, panel discussions, charrette activities, and both online and offline meetings. Topics discussed included organic tourism models for sustainable development, strategies for zero food waste in the catering industry, and addressing climate change through gastronomic heritage. The Governor of Phuket, Sophon Suwannarat, welcomed participants at the opening, and Chada Thaised, Deputy Minister of the Interior of Thailand, was among the distinguished attendees.

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, MGTO Director and Macao SAR’s focal point for the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), represented Macao at the event. Along with representatives from about 20 other Creative Cities of Gastronomy, they shared initiatives aimed at steering gastronomic development towards greater sustainability and innovation. By drawing on the successful experiences of fellow member cities, Macao aims to achieve further progress as a City of Gastronomy, contributing towards the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Additionally, participants engaged in mangrove planting in Phuket, underscoring their commitment to sustainable development.

Since being designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2017, Macao has launched an action plan to enhance its culinary reputation. This includes the annual “Macao･Creative City of Gastronomy” meeting, which was only paused in 2022 due to the pandemic, and the submission of its first four-year monitoring report in 2021.

This year, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is taking significant strides to further Macao’s role as a Creative City of Gastronomy in line with its established plan. This includes engaging in collaborative and educational events with other UCCN member cities. A major upcoming event is the “Celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR – International Cities of Gastronomy Fest, Macao,” set for mid-June 2024. This inaugural fest will feature an exciting gathering of gastronomic cities from around the world, showcasing global culinary cultures and highlighting Macao’s unique blend of tourism and gastronomy.

Since its foundation in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network has grown rapidly, now encompassing seven creative fields and including 56 Cities of Gastronomy globally. China boasts the most cities in this category, with six members including Chengdu, Shunde, Macao, Yangzhou, Huai’an, and Chaozhou.