Food can power tourism growth along the Silk Road

Experience tourism booming and authentic Silk Road food could be a powerful pillar of growth

Food plays a crucial and growing role in tourism development and can be a pillar for growth for the countries of the Silk Road, said experts

Food plays a crucial and growing role in tourism development and can be a pillar for growth for the countries of the Silk Road, said experts meeting at the Flavours of the Silk Road: International Conference on Food, Culture and Tourism Conference (Baku, Azerbaijan, 6-7 September).

Tourism, culture and gastronomy experts meeting in Baku pinpointed food as an essential part of the tourism experience and an increasingly important percentage of overall tourist expenditure.

Presentations were made by a wide and international variety of food and drink experts including celebrity chefs like Turkish star Musa Dagdeviren, food writers such as Italy’s Vittorio Castellani (Chef Kumale) – even a French TV star  master of wine – Ì Isabelle Legeron.

The importance of food tourism was further endorsed by the UNWTO Global Report on Food Tourism, launched during the Conference.

Download report HERE:

At the Conference, UNWTO Secretary-General, Mr. Taleb Rifai, met the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev who emphasised the importance of tourism in today’s world and the significance of its contribution to Azerbaijan’s economy.

Mr. Rifai pointed to growing demand for ‘experience-based’ tourism over recent years, adding that in today’s globalized world, consumers are increasingly seeking authentic experiences such as local culinary traditions. "Food tourism is also an important vehicle for development, with locally sourced produced ensuring tourist dollars are invested back into the community, allowing other businesses to thrive," he said.

The Silk Road, an ancient traveling and trading route which played a major role in the evolution of international cuisine, was the focus of the Conference which was also opened by the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Abulfas Garayev.

"We are especially proud to hold this conference because in Azerbaijan we care greatly for the traditions of our rich gastronomy stretching back to ancient times," said Mr. Garayev. "Tourism is a key sector for linking the countries along the Silk Road and we are pleased to support through this conference the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue," to be held in Baku in May, 2013.

Among other dignitaries, the Vice President of  Iran attended the conference. Mr. Seyyed Hassan Mousavi said "The significance of the Silk Road is so great, as a crossroad of civilisations and as a road to peace. Iran, its culture and cuisine are an integral part of this."

He offered key recommendations for the development of the Silk Road including the introduction of a Silk Road visa to allow tourists and citizens of Silk Road countries to pass all the Silk Road borders. He also emphasized his commitment to hosting an international Silk Road conference in Iran, recommended the creation of a Silk Road Day, and proposed the development of a comprehensive Silk Road Atlas.

Further recommendations at the Conference, from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO), included the need for Ministries of Tourism and Agriculture to work together to foster agro-tourism projects; the importance of safeguarding culinary heritage; and the need for more micro-financing for small and medium sized enterprises involved in rural food production and development.

Valere Tjolle
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