Iloilo City, Philippines, has been named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, becoming the first city in the country to receive this prestigious designation. The announcement was made on October 31, 2023, coinciding with the observance of World Cities Day.
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was established in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable development. Cities are designated as Creative Cities in seven fields: crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music.
Iloilo City was recognized for its rich and diverse culinary heritage, which is rooted in its Malay, Chinese, and Spanish influences. The city is home to a wide range of restaurants and food stalls serving everything from traditional dishes like La Paz Batchoy and Pansit Molo to more modern cuisine.
In addition to its diverse food scene, Iloilo City is also known for its vibrant culture and its commitment to sustainable tourism. The city has a number of initiatives in place to promote its culinary heritage and to support local farmers and food producers.
Iloilo City's designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy is a major achievement for the city and for the Philippines. It is a recognition of Iloilo City's rich culinary heritage and its commitment to using food as a force for good.
The designation is also expected to boost Iloilo City's tourism industry and to help attract new businesses and investments to the city.
Here are some of the benefits that Iloilo City can expect to reap from its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy:
- Increased tourism: Visitors from all over the world will be drawn to Iloilo City to experience its unique culinary scene.
- Economic development: The designation is expected to attract new businesses and investments to the city, particularly in the food and tourism sectors.
- Job creation: The designation is expected to create new jobs in the food and tourism sectors.
- Cultural promotion: The designation will help to promote Iloilo City's culinary heritage and culture on the international stage.
Aside from Iloilo City, several cities all over the world were also reconized as Creative Cities of Gastronomy this year: Chaozhou, China; Fribourg, Switzerland; and Nkongsamba, Cameroon. Other UNESCO creative cities in the country are Baguio City (2017, crafts and folk art) and Cebu (2019, design).
The designation is a major accomplishment for Iloilo City and for the Philippines. It is a recognition of the city's rich culinary heritage.
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