Mr Zhu Shanzhong, Executive Director of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and Ms Alla Peressolova, Head of the UNWTO Silk Road Programme, attended the First International Forum-Festival «Gastronomic Routes of the Great Silk Road» in Astrakhan, a city located at the crossroads of the historic Silk Road routes of Russia. 

 

The Forum-Festival was organized by the Region of Astrakhan, the Hotel Park Inn and the International Center of Wine and Gastronomy, a UNWTO Affiliate Member, and was supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Federal Tourism Agency of Russia and UNWTO. 

 

Russia, apart from being the largest country in the world, is famous for its rich culture, fascinating heritage and diverse cuisine. Recognising the country’s great gastronomic heritage and its multiple connections to the historic Silk Road routes, the event served to agree upon common objectives and a course of action aimed at maximising the tourism potential of these two niche tourism markets. 

 

Moreover, during the Forum-Festival it was agreed that the Region of Astrakhan, represented by Ms Galina Zoteeva, the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Astrakhan Region, and the Ministry of Culture of the and Tourism of the Astrakhan Region will officially join the Western Silk Road Working Group, a collaborative platform that aims to maximise the tourism potential of Silk Road heritage located outside Asia.  

 

Attended by representatives from 10 countries and 12 regions of the Russian Federation, the Forum-Festival was praised for its interactive and didactic approach, and for bringing together a wide range of stakeholders active within the fields of gastronomy, cultural heritage and tourism route development.