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IGCAT Newsletter Third Quarter 2021 IGCAT VOICE

Stakeholders from the Aseer region have recently confirmed their commitment to bid to be the 1st IGCAT awarded World Region of Gastronomy in 2024. We will have many challenges on the way, but Aseer holds many incredible assets that contribute to the sustainable principles underpinning the prestigious Award. As an example, the Soudah mountainous area inside Aseer is rich in honeybees that are turning Soudah into one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s most interesting models for nature-friendly agriculture.

The farmers in Aseer produce some of the finest varieties of honey available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia due to the area’s unique climatic and floral diversity which have allowed bees as well as an extraordinary array of flora and fauna to grow and thrive in the Aseer region. The importance of bees to natural ecosystems cannot be overstated especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where food security is a strategic objective under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Bees are important because they allow plants to reproduce and without them, we would live in a dull world devoid of food diversity. Soudah (Aseer) also boasts juniper-covered hilltops that climb 3,015 meters into air and with this breathtaking natural beauty, and our commitment to work together across sectors, we are opening a gateway to the county’s fabled hospitality. The temperature on average is 10 degrees cooler than many other parts of the country making it a perfect year-round ecotourism destination for outdoor activities such as mountaineering or hiking. By striving to be awarded World Region of Gastronomy 2024 we hope to protect the region's native population of pollinators, the local communities that support them and the area’s unique cultural heritage. Srdan Susic Director of Environment & Wildlife, Soudah Development

IGCAT News

Winners of IGCAT's Food Film Menu 2021 revealed 27 September 2021 - The short film A Food and Love Story from Menorca, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022, was selected as Best European Film Overall of the Food Film Menu 2021, organised by IGCAT in collaboration with the European and World Regions of … Read more

Winners of the 2nd European Food Gift Challenge announced 2 August 2021 - Food and cultural uniqueness of the European Regions of Gastronomy was celebrated at the 2nd European Food Gift Challenge, a competition organised by IGCAT to award local craftsmanship related to food, that took place in Coimbra Region, Europ … Read more

Exploring Online Internship in Europe The Erasmus+ project ON-IT – Online Internship in Tourism in which IGCAT is a consortium partner, will organise a webinar on Online Internship in Europe: How can virtual internships ensure meaningful work-based learning experiences? in the framework of the Erasmus Days … Read more

News from the World Regions of Gastronomy

Hauts-de-France officially awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2023 28 September 2021 – After a successful candidacy process, Hauts-de-France was officially awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2023 on Monday 27 September in Le Touquet. It is the first region in France to receive such acc … Read more

A brand-new website for Trondheim-Trøndelag 2022 27 September 2021 – Trondheim-Trøndelag, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022 has launched its official website. Available both in Norwegian and English, the website offers information about the region as a food destination and highlights food experiences throughout the territory, local sustainable food prod … Read more

The Slovenia MICHELIN Guide 2021 crowns a new star 23 September 2021 – By Slovenian Tourist Board. The 2021 edition of The Michelin Guide in Slovenia has finally been unveiled. In a year, when Slovenia holds the European Region of Gastronomy title, the family of Michelin Starred restaurants has received one new member. The restaurant Gostišče Grič joins the lis … Read more

Local restaurants raise the profile of Menorca’s gastronomy 22 September 2021 – A total of 38 restaurants from all over Menorca, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022 are involved in the Mostra de Cuina Menorquina 2021 (Festival of Menorcan Cuisine) aimed to promot … Read more

Kuopio among the top experiential food tourism destinations in Finland 20 September 2021 – The Hungry for Finland 2021 competition recognised several initiatives from Kuopio, awarded European Region of Gastronomy 2020-21 awarded by IGCAT, among the most remarkable food tourism p … Read more

All the flavours of Coimbra Region 9 September 2021 – A brand-new shop has opened in Coimbra Region, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2021-22 to showcase the best locally-produced food and crafts products. It is called Loja dos Sabores da Região de Coimbra (Coimbra Region’s Flavours Shop) and it is a must-visit for all those who wish … Read more

Current news from around the globe

World Tourism Day 2021: inclusive growth at the centre of tourism’s restart By UNWTO 28 September 2021 - Global tourism has reaffirmed its commitment to making the sector a pillar of inclusive growth. At the official World Tourism Day 2021 celebrations in A … Read more

UNESCO steps up efforts for biodiversity conservation By Africa News 22 Spetember 2021 - UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme today added 20 new sites, in 21 countries to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, which now numbers 727 biosphere reserves in 131 countries, … Read more

To make good, healthy cheese you need natural, diverse meadows By Slow Food 20 September 2021 - In Italy stable meadows are disappearing through the abandonment of the countryside and soil consumption. Across Europe they occupy a surface area as large … Read more

Macron to push for pesticide phase-out during EU presidency stint By Magdalena Pistorius 13 September 2021 - France will push for “an accelerated phase-out of pesticides” at the EU level when it takes on the rotating E … Read more

Afghanistan: FAO appeals to urgently save rural livelihoods By FAO 16 September 2021 - The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, today called for urgent assistance to help save Afghanistan's next wheat harvest, keep life-sustaining f ... Read more

IGCAT carries out research, collects knowledge and develops projects to support creative solutions in regional and local development. This newsletter is just a small selection of news from the past three months. IGCAT compiles trends and facts from around the world.