The event will be the first international conference held by the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy (CoGs) Subnetwork.
Joining the event were Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) Senior Vice President Puripan Bunnag and TCEB Southern Regional Office Director Pattanachai Singhavara.
“The fact that Phuket is the first city to debut a meeting of the UNESCO food science network reflects the tourism potential of Phuket,” said Phuket Vice Governor Sattha Thongkham.
“Phuket has been designated by UNESCO as a Creative City for Gastronomy since 2015, and being a Gastronomy City is also one of the important milestones in the 10+ economic and social pillars in the 20-year master plan (2023 - 2042) for Phuket Province.
“Government agencies are ready to join hands to move forward with the private sector to push Phuket to be a creative city in food science that is safe, healthy and environmentally friendly to increase further our economic value,” he said
Phuket Town Mayor Saroj Angkhanapilas highlighted the multicultural nature of Phuket’s residents as a key factor for the unique food found on the island.
“Phuket’s food is created from a melting pot, a multicultural integration of the various nationalities who migrated to work [in Phuket] as labourers during the mining era and settle in Phuket Province,” he said.
“Combined with the abundance of natural ingredients and seasonings that surround Phuket Island, it is the source of local food that has a unique flavour,” he added.
“The food of Phuket people is important. Through festivals, ceremonies, beliefs, ways of life in the family, recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, including ingredients that are available only in Phuket,” he said.
Phuket City Municipality is committed to jointly moving the city forward by participating in promoting good practices, to be a creative city in sustainable food science, raise awareness of conservation of local food, promoting cooperation at the provincial and global levels to jointly develop creative potential in creating food that is sustainable,” Mayor Saroj said.
Phuket Town received more than 70% of the votes from network members in being selected to host the annual conference next year, he explained.
“Phuket Town is proud and accepts the challenge to have people come together to welcome and be a good host to impress our visitors,” he said.
TCEB Southern Regional Office Director Mr Pattanachai noted, “Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, especially food from Phuket province, has always been a source of pride for us.
“We believe that hosting the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy (CoGs) Subnetwork Annual Conference 2024 will not only raise the status of the province as a destination for world-class food but also elevates Phuket to a world-class conference, or MICE, destination as well,” he said.
"The conference will be a stage for participants from 37 countries and 56 cities around the world to learn and discuss the lifestyle of food culture that is the ‘Way of Life of Phuket people’.
“The TCEB is ready to support bids for rights to host international conferences in all industries, and support the development of local events into a world-class events as well,” he concluded.