DASTA Wrap: Phetchaburi celebrates UCCN membership with ‘Phetchaburi City of Gastronomy: CHA-AM Food Festival’

DASTA Wrap: Phetchaburi celebrates UCCN membership with ‘Phetchaburi City of Gastronomy: CHA-AM Food Festival’

DASTA cooperated with Phetchaburi Province and network partners to drive Phetchaburi Creative City of Gastronomy as a tourist hot spot recognised on the international stage

Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) has announced the successful launch of the first “Phetchaburi City of Gastronomy: CHA-AM Food Festival”.  Working with partners from the private sector, the event was held at Cha-Am Beach Scenic Point in Cha-Am district, Phetchaburi Province, to celebrate joining The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a “Creative City of Gastronomy”.

Group Captain Athikhun Khongmee, Director of DASTA, explained that the inaugural Phetchaburi City of Gastronomy: CHA-AM Food Festival was conceived as an event by private sector entities, including the Phetchaburi Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries (Phetchaburi Province), Young Entrepreneur Chamber of Commerce (YEC), Phetchaburi Province, Tourism Authority of Thailand (Phetchaburi Office), Cha-Am Municipality, and local academies. 

The festival was honoured by the presence of Mr. Napintorn Srisanpang, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Sports who presided at the opening ceremony. The Deputy Minister commented on the importance of tourism as a tool to drive and stimulate the national economy, leading to more employment in the sector and more income for locals. 

Mr. Napintorn complimented Phetchaburi Province on supporting the government’s policy of stimulating the economy by encouraging and welcoming tourists to the well-known beauty spot.  

The festival complies with the activity criteria required to become a member of the UCCN and hold international gastronomic activities in Phetchaburi Province. 

UCCN members were invited to share their experiences as creative cities at similar events, including Overstrand (South Africa), Weifang (China), and Macau (China).  

At least 150 network partners were invited to participate in the festival via Facebook Fan page: DASTATHAILAND and more than 500 visitors attended the festival across over the three days.

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