The City of Âé¶čAV, in partnership with Tourism Âé¶čAV and Okanagan College, has been invited to apply for designation as Canada's first UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, aims to celebrate the impact and importance of culture around the world through its Creative Cities Network established in 2004.
âThe opportunity to apply for designation opens up only once every two years, and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO is only permitted to nominate up to two cities at a time,â said Lisanne Ballantyne, Tourism Âé¶čAV CEO. âBeing invited to apply is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate all the ways food and beverages bring us together in Âé¶čAV â through story and traditions, community-based initiatives, world-class restaurants and culinary experiences, agriculture â and so much more.â
The application will include input for from a wide range of businesses, experts, and other groups with ties to Âé¶čAV's food and beverage sector.
âWe have the support of Westbank First Nation (WFN), the City of Âé¶čAV and Tourism Âé¶čAV to move forward with the application. If successful, this designation will be important to a diverse range of partners â from education to businesses, to community groups and tourism,â said Dr. Neil Fassina, president at Okanagan College. âWe all share a desire to celebrate not only our outstanding local restaurants, wineries and craft beverage makers â but also the passion for learning, innovation and creativity that is at the heart of this region and which will drive success for years to come.â
The application will be submitted at the end of February. Learn more about the application and the Creative Cities Network at .
