Case Studies
UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism
The 9th UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Bahrain is a landmark moment in celebrating culinary diversity and innovation. This event not only brings Bahrain’s cultural heritage to the forefront but also highlights the essential role of gastronomy in sustainable tourism. Exhibition World Bahrain is an outstanding venue for this forum, embodying Bahrain’s dedication to fostering global dialogue around culinary arts and sustainable tourism.
Cutting-edge Amenities
EWB’s cutting-edge facilities were the perfect backdrop for the high-profile event. The venue features state-of-the-art spaces designed to accommodate large-scale events, and for the forum, it made full use of its grand hall, pre-function area, and 11 versatile, technologically equipped meeting rooms.
- Grand Hall: With an adaptable layout, the grand hall can host up to 4,000 guests, providing ample space for large conferences, discussions, and gala events.
- Pre-function Area: This stylish space served as a comfortable networking hub, setting the tone for fruitful interactions and collaboration between attendees.
- Meeting Rooms: The 11 meeting rooms were used for smaller, more focused discussions, workshops, and masterclasses, offering flexibility and comfort for various types of sessions.
- Parking Services: EWB offers over 1,400 main parking spaces, along with an additional 2,800 overflow spaces, ensuring convenient access for attendees. A well- coordinated shuttle service further enhanced the convenience of guests, offering smooth transportation to and from the venue.
The venue’s build-up process took six days, from 12th to 17th November, ensuring everything was prepared for the high standards expected from such a prestigious gathering.
Exceptional Culinary Experience
EWB is home to the largest fully equipped kitchen in Bahrain, spanning over 3,600 square metres. This state-of-the-art kitchen enabled the venue’s culinary team to deliver a high-quality, diverse range of dishes to suit the tastes of the global attendees. With the capacity to serve up to 10,000 guests, the food offerings ranged from traditional Bahraini dishes to Asian, Mediterranean, and European cuisines, reflecting the cultural diversity of both Bahrain and the international gastronomy community.
Significance for Bahrain
The forum marked a significant milestone for Bahrain, reinforcing its position as a global hub for gastronomy tourism. The Kingdom’s recognition as the host city is a testament to the collective efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and the BTEA, who have worked tirelessly to position Bahrain as a leading destination for MICE events, as well as a premier destination for culinary tourism. The event demonstrated Bahrain’s unique culinary offerings and attracted gourmet enthusiasts and event professionals from around the world.
Premier MICE Destination
The 9th edition of the UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism held at Exhibition World Bahrain was a resounding success. It underscored the Kingdom of Bahrain’s growing importance in the global gastronomic tourism landscape, offering a platform for international dialogue on the potential of gastronomy as a dynamic tool for economic diversification, sustainability, and community resilience. With its world-class facilities and exceptional culinary offerings, EWB proved to be the perfect venue for such a prestigious event, further cementing Bahrain’s reputation as a leading destination for international events and gastronomic experiences.