The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched the Amazing Thailand Culinary City project to further develop and promote Thailand as a world-class gastronomy tourism destination.
Held alongside the Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2023 from May 31 to June 2 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, the project aims to offer innovations and experiences to spur development under a creative economy in line with the Thai government ’s BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) Economy Model.
Conceptualised under the BCG Economy Model, the project will encompass the AGFEC components – Agriculture, Gastronomy, Food Safety, Experience, and Creative Entrepreneur.
“Activities are designed to stimulate a circular economy and underline the country’s vision for national development to achieve prosperity in terms of economic, social and environmental sustainability,” said Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, deputy governor, marketing communications, TAT.
Bringing together entrepreneurs in the food tourism sector to create business matching opportunities, the project will see the participation of 30 Gastronomy Tourism sellers, under the categories of City Dining Experience, Farm To Table, and Culinary Cooking Activity.
In addition, visitors will be able to try food from the various participating restaurants, and even try their hand at making Thai desserts and get a traditional Thai massage. There will also be an exhibition on Thai dishes such as Tom Yam Kung, Phat Thai and Green Curry, and lesser known ‘hidden dishes’ from across Thailand.
During the event, international food blogger Mark Wiens and Thitid ‘Ton’ Tassanakajohn, chef of Bangkok restaurant Le Du, will lead a panel discussion on the topic of food to stimulate the tourism economy, readiness for gastronomy tourism expansion, and relating trends.
Under the project’s B2C strategy 4 Locations: 4 Styles, culinary events are scheduled to be held across Thailand’s four regions in May and June, including Chiang Mai (North) from May 19 to 21; Khon Kaen (North-east) from June 9 to 11; Phuket (South) from June 16 to 18; and Chanthaburi (East) from June 23 to 25.
Each of these four events will feature food entrepreneurs, other entrepreneurs and local operators from across the respective region, and will include workshops on preparing local snacks from the respective region, cooking shows, an exhibition on the potential and distinctiveness of Thai cuisine, and local food to enjoy.
