THE Philippines continues to rise as an emerging gastronomy hub as the United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism) announces that it will host the 2026 UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the Philippinesโ selection as host of this prestigious event affirms the countryโs status as the perfect setting for global exchanges on food, culture, and sustainable gastronomy tourism.
โThe Philippines is the perfect venue for the 2026 UN Tourism World Gastronomy Forum โ where the world can gather to share, taste, and celebrate food as a bridge between cultures. More importantly, this recognition places our country at the forefront of global gastronomy and sustainable tourism,โ said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
โOur 7,641 islands are blessed not only with incredible natural beauty but with a culinary heritage that reflects the heart and soul of the Filipino โ creative, diverse, and resilient. Through gastronomy, we invite the world to experience the love of our people and the richness of our story.โ
The 10th UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism will convene global leaders, chefs, innovators, and advocates from more than 150 countries to advance dialogue and cooperation on food tourism as a driver of inclusive growth, sustainability, and cultural preservation.
๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐, ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐บ๐ ๐ต๐๐ฏ
Secretary Frasco noted that the hosting reflects the countryโs growing reputation as a culinary destination of global distinction, following the successful visit of the Michelin Guide to the Philippines, which spotlighted Filipino chefs and restaurants on the world stage.
The Secretary also emphasized that this global recognition builds on the DOTโs sustained efforts to develop gastronomy tourism as a pillar of the countryโs tourism strategy, as encapsulated in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023โ2028.
In 2024, the Philippines, through the DOT, made history by hosting the first-ever UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific in Cebu, which culminated in the Cebu Call to Action on Gastronomy Tourism as a Driver for Sustainable Development.
In highlighting the role of gastronomy in tourism growth, the DOT noted that food and beverage experiences are among the key drivers of visitor spending and cultural engagement in the country. Based on the 2024 Philippine Tourism Satellite Account (PTSA), food and beverage services accounted for 8.04% of Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA), and comprised 17.1% of inbound tourism expenditure โ demonstrating that travelers highly value Filipino cuisine as part of their journey. Tourism also continues to generate livelihood, with 6.75 million Filipinos employed in tourism-related industries in 2024, representing 13.8% of total national employment, many of whom are part of the food, culinary, and hospitality sectors.
โFrom the first regional gastronomy forum in Cebu to our partnership with Michelin and the growing global recognition of Filipino cuisine, our message remains clear โ food is not only a feast for the palate but also a force for empowerment and sustainability,โ Secretary Frasco added.
โHosting the World Gastronomy Forum in 2026 is a testament to how the Philippines continues to rise as a leader in showcasing the power of food to drive tourism.โ
๐จ๐ก ๐ง๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐บ ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฑ๐ ๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐โ ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐บ
In a letter addressed to Secretary Frasco, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili formally confirmed acceptance of the DOTโs proposal to host the gastronomy forum, citing the Philippinesโ โdemonstrated leadership, institutional readiness, and commitment to meeting the legal and procedural requirements for hosting the Forum.โ
โThe Philippinesโ commitment to advancing tourism through gastronomy โ supported by its efforts to strengthen local food systems, empower youth and women, and celebrate culinary heritage โ positions it as an exceptional host for this flagship global event,โ Pololikashvili said.
โThe Forum will offer a unique platform to showcase the countryโs leadership in gastronomy tourism and to shape global dialogue and cooperation around sustainable and inclusive food and tourism systems,โ Pololikashvili added
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐บ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ, ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ
As the Philippines prepares to welcome the world in 2026, Secretary Frasco reaffirmed the DOTโs commitment to transforming the countryโs gastronomy tourism landscape into a model of sustainability, community empowerment, and cultural pride.
โFilipino cuisine is a source of identity, livelihood, and cultural pride. the Department of Tourism will continue to make every effort so the world will know the treasure that is Filipino food. Because every Filipino dish tells a story โ one of hope, heritage, and hospitality,โ Frasco said.
โWe look forward to welcoming the world to the Philippines, where every meal is shared with love, and it is a meaningfulcelebration of who we are as a people,โ added the tourism chief.
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