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China commits to EnoGastroTourism innovation / China se compromete con la innovación en EnoGastroTurismo

ENG/ESP Press Release. Madrid.

Building Together Global EnoGastroTourism Destinations-Brands

In June last year, José Antonio Vidal, founder president of Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO) was hosted by the Government of China (Ministry of Commerce), the Shandong region and Yantai authorities, the board of the Yantai Wine and Vine Bureau and the main wineries’ (Châteaux) owners and general managers, with the occasion of the 13th Yantai International Wine Expo.
Yantai Vine and Wine Bureau became GWTO Member.

Last week GWTO has been hosted by the Government of China, the Ningxia autonomous region authorities and by the board of the Helan Mountains’ Eastern Foot Wine Industry Park, with the occasion of the 4th China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo, in Yinchuan.
Helan Mountains’ Eastern Foot Wine Industry Park became GWTO Member.

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Yantai and Ningxia authorities

2025, the Year of China International EnoGastroTourism

In June Yantai will host the GWTO Global Summit on Responsible EnoGastroTourism  (previously took place in Uruguay last March).

GWTO with YANTAI Vine and Wine Bureau and NINGXIA Helan Mountains’ Eastern Foot Wine Industry Park signed a Collaboration Agreements with a twofold objectives:

  1. to achieve Yantai and Ningxia their GWTO International Certification as Premium Responsible EnoGastroTourism destinations, and
  2. to open physical GWTO Academy branchs in both regions to run on-site international training programs.

China se compromete con la innovación en EnoGastroTurismo

Construyendo Juntos Marcas-Destino EnoGastroTurismo

En junio del año pasado, el Gobierno de China (Ministerio de Comercio), las autoridades de la región de Shandong y de Yantai, la junta directiva de la Oficina de la Viña y el Vino de Yantai, y los propietarios y directores generales de las principales bodegas (Châteaux) acogieron al fundador y presidente de la Organización Mundial del EnoTurismo (OMET) José Antonio Vidal, con motivo de la 13ª Exposición Internacional del Vino de Yantai.
La Oficina de la Viña y el Vino de Yantai se convirtió en miembro de OMET.

La semana pasada, el Gobierno de China, las autoridades de la región autónoma de Ningxia y la junta directiva del Parque de la Industria Vitivinícola de las Laderas Orientales de las Montañas Helan acogieron a la OMET con motivo de la 4ª Exposición Internacional de Cultura y EnoTurismo de China (Yinchuan, Ningxia).
El Parque Vitivinícola de las Laderas Orientales de las Montañas de Helan se convirtió en miembro de OMET.

2025, el Año del EnoGastroTurismo Internacional en China

En junio, Yantai acogerá la Cumbre Mundial de OMET sobre EnoGastroTurismo Responsable (el pasado mes de marzo tuvo lugar en Uruguay).

La Oficina de la Viña y el Vino de YANTAI y el Parque Vitivinícola de las Laderas Orientales de las Montañas de Helan NINGXIA firmaron con OMET un Acuerdo de Colaboración con un doble objetivo:

  1. Que Yantai y Ningxia obtengan la Certificación Internacional OMET como Destinos  Premium de EnoGastroTurismo Responsable, y
  2. Aperturar sedes físicas de OMET Academy en ambas regiones para la impartición presencial de programas internacionales de formación.
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ENG/ESP

Grape wine residues dating back to 2,600 BC found in 200 clay vessels in Shandong, indicate that grapes were already being cultivated in China at that time.

The modern history of Chinese wine began in 1892, when the businessman Cheong Fatt Tze, known as Chang Bishi (1840-1916), bought land in Yantai (Shandong), introduced 150 varieties with some 500,000 vines from Europe and the USA and founded the Chang Yu winery. Thus was born the multinational Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Company.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, extensive vineyards were planted along the Yellow River and from the late 1970s foreign investment was encouraged. 

In 2022, vineyards covered 784,750 hectares and wine production is around 16 million hectoliters, making China the world’s fifth largest producer. The State is investing heavily in wineries and structures to place China among the top 3 wine producing countries.

Los residuos de vino de uva datados en 2.600 aC que se encontraron en 200 vasijas de arcilla halladas en Shandong, indican que en China ya entonces se cultivaba la uva.

La historia moderna del vino chino comenzó en 1892, cuando el empresario Cheong Fatt Tze, conocido como Chang Bishi (1840-1916), compró tierras en Yantai (Shandong), introdujo 150 variedades con unas 500.000 cepas procedentes de Europa y EE.UU. y fundó la bodega Chang Yu. Así nació la multinacional vinícola Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Company.

Tras la fundación de la República Popular China en 1949, se plantaron extensos viñedos a lo largo del río Amarillo y desde finales de la década de 1970 se promovieron las inversiones extranjeras. 

En 2022, los viñedos cubrían 784.750 hectáreas y la producción de vino ronda los 16 millones de hectolitros, lo que convierte a China en el quinto productor mundial. El Estado está realizando grandes inversiones en bodegas y estructuras para situar a China entre los 3 primeros países productores de vino.

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GLOBAL SUMMIT / CUMBRE GLOBAL – Inspiring Together a Responsible EnoTourism: from theory to practice / Inspirando Juntos un EnoTurismo Responsable: de la teoría a la práctica

ENG / ESP
Press Release.

Punta del Este (Uruguay). The Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO) spearheaded the 1st GWTO Global Summit on Responsible EnoTourism from March 19 to 21 in Punta del Este, Uruguay. This groundbreaking event, supported by institutional partners including the Ministry of Tourism (Uruguay Natural), INAVI, the Intendancies of Maldonado, Montevideo, Colonia de Sacramento, and Canelones, as well as private entities such as Bodegas Garzón, Enjoy Hotel, and Grupo Elis OPC, underscores GWTO’s commitment to advancing the socio-economic development of wine destinations and elevating the global standing of EnoTourism brands.

At the opening session Arnaldo Nardone, GWTO MICE Director, and Pablo Singerman, GWTO Vice President LatAm, emphasized the significance of GWTO’s decision to host the most comprehensive international MICE event on EnoTourism to date, comprising B2B meetings, an academic congress, and an exhibition area.

OFFICIAL WELCOME CEREMONY AND HONORS

The Minister of Tourism of Uruguay, the GWTO President of Honor and the GWTO Founder President CEO highlighted the unique opportunity presented by this event for positioning Uruguay on the global EnoTourism map.

Eduardo Sanguinetti emphasized “the importance of the Summit for advancing global EnoTourism and positioning Uruguay as a distinguished EnoTourism destination. We are delighted to host this event of immense international importance. Our thanks to the Global Wine Tourism Organization GWTO for entrusting us with its 1st Summit. EnoTourism is an engine for the socio-economic development of wine regions, a platform to promote local culture and a bridge that strengthens ties between producers, entrepreneurs and wine enthusiasts from all over the world”, said the Minister of Tourism.

Rafael Ansón indicated that “gastronomy has become one of the most important motivations for tourists when choosing a destination, a key factor in promoting quality tourism.  And, within this framework, EnoTourism is one of its great attractions: Visiting the wineries, seeing and walking among the vineyards, tasting the wines in harmony with the local gastronomy, is an enriching experience from a recreational, but also cultural and historical point of view”, said the GWTO President of Honor and of the International Academy of Gastronomy.

For his part, José Antonio Vidal emphasized the imperative of Responsible EnoTourism in ensuring sustainable growth and preserving wine destinations for future generations being able to continue enjoying and benefiting from these wine destinations, aspects that will be key to the choice of the 1st GWTO Awards for Responsible Destinations and Experiences. This involves making conscious choices before, during and after the trip, and requires a collective effort from travelers, local communities, governments and the tourism industry, supporting both responsible wineries and responsible tour operators”. GWTO President pointed out “the essential importance of being coo-petitive (competing through collaboration) and of winery entrepreneurs’ awareness that EnoTourism is neither oenology nor viticulture, but Tourism, a tertiary sector, a service sector and that, as such, it should be considered as an independent business unit managed by professionals in the tourism sector”.

Vidal concluded his words of welcome by offering an emotional tribute in memoriam to Professor Eduardo Fayos-Solà and the academic María Isabel Mijares García-Pelayo, both admired and much loved by the attendees and the sector in general.

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Remo Monzeglio, Deputy Secretary of Tourism of Uruguay, honored Piero Sattanino, the Best Sommelier in the World 1971, for his outstanding professional career and commitment to education through the Italian Association of Sommeliers.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Responsible Strategic Plans, Branding, Associationism, Monitoring, MICE, Communication, Design and Commercialization of activities, the importance of Tour Operators and Training were presented in practical formats (successful cases and ted-talks) by 80 authorities from 16 countries.

Directors of eight GWTO member EnoTourism Associations stressed their importance as interlocutors between the private and public sectors; Nardone made the winery sector aware of “the possibility of increasing profits by organizing events at their facilities”; Singerman affirmed “the difficulty of making the right decisions without the management tool that observatories represent”; Leonid Gelibterman (GWTO Vice President EurAsia) pointed out that “EnoTourism and gastronomy play a key role in cultural rootedness and public diplomacy. We call for responsibility for a future of environmental, political and socio-cultural well-being”; Milton Zuanazzi (GWTO Director Brazil) referred to EnoTourism as “a strategic and marketing vision parallel to the wine industry: while the industry is concerned with the content of the glass, we should be dedicated to what is outside the glass”; Marisa Ramos (GWTO Director Mexico) indicated that “the successful integration of EnoTourism into Mexico’s tourism offer at the international level will depend on an intelligent strategy”, and Gabriel Fidel (GWTO Academy LatAm Director) concluded “the Punta del Este Summit has highlighted the role of OMET, with its current and future partners, as articulators of strategies and tools necessary for a new EnoTourism”.

EXHIBITION AREA AND TECHNICAL VISITS

Attendees had the opportunity to explore exhibitors’ offerings and participate in up to five technical visit circuits.

B2B BUSINESS ROUND

Twenty international tour operators convened at Enjoy Hotel for business discussions.

AWARDS FOR RESPONSIBLE ENOTOURISM
cumbre awarded

At the closing ceremony, Certificates of Membership were awarded to new GWTO members, Diplomas to collaborating entities, and the GWTO Awards for Responsible Enotourism success stories: To the Municipality of Montevideo as a National Destination, to Mendoza (Argentina) as an International Destination, and to Viña Santa Rita (Chile) as an International Experience.
Honorable Mentions to Viña Eden (Uruguay) as Responsible National Experience and to EnoTurismo Extremadura (Spain) as Responsible International Destination.

NEXT SUMMIT VENUE
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GWTO Global Summits on Responsible EnoTourism will rotate venues, aligned with the GWTO’s MICE planning, offering a range of event formats for wine destinations.

Yantai Municipality (China) was announced as the next Summit 2025 host, with several international destinations vying for subsequent editions.

ABOUT GWTO
GWTO and its GWTO Academy form the Global Network of Entrepreneurship and Knowledge in EnoTourism, comprised of public entities, associations, establishments in wine destinations, and academic institutions.
Their goal is to promote socio-economic development in wine culture destinations through strategic plans, brand promotion, training programs, and certifications in sustainability and quality EnoTourism.

See you at the 2025 Summit in Yantai (China)!

[email protected]

Nota de Prensa
Punta del Este (Uruguay), 22 de marzo de 2024

Inspirando Juntos un EnoTurismo Responsable: de la teoría a la práctica

La Organización Mundial del EnoTurismo ha promovido la 1ª Cumbre Global OMET del EnoTurismo Responsable, del 19 al 21 de marzo en Punta del Este (Maldonado, Uruguay), con los apoyos institucionales del Ministerio de Turismo (Uruguay Natural), el INAVI, las Intendencias de Maldonado, Montevideo, Colonia de Sacramento y Canelones, y de la entidades privadas Bodegas Garzón, Hotel Enjoy y Grupo Elis OPC.

Teniendo OMET entre sus objetivos favorecer el desarrollo socio-económico de los destinos vinícolas y el posicionamiento de las marcas-destino enoturístico en los mercados globales, en el acto de apertura, el Director de OMET MICE, Arnaldo Nardone, y el Vicepresidente OMET LatAm, Pablo Singerman, señalaron la importancia para el sector de que la única asociación internacional especializada en EnoTurismo haya apostado por la celebración del evento internacional MICE más completo sobre EnoTurismo celebrado hasta la fecha: Reuniones B2B, Congreso académico y área Expositiva.

CEREMONIA INSTITUCIONAL DE BIENVENIDA Y HOMENAJES

El Ministro de Turismo del Uruguay, el Presidente de Honor de OMET y el Fundador Presidente CEO de OMET, coincidieron en la oportunidad única que supone este magno evento para el posicionamiento de Uruguay en el mapa enoturístico mundial.

Eduardo Sanguinetti subrayó “la importancia de la Cumbre para el avance del EnoTurismo a nivel mundial y el posicionamiento de Uruguay como destino enoturístico distinguido. Estamos encantados de ser los anfitriones de este evento de inmensa importancia internacional. Nuestro agradecimiento a la Organización Mundial del EnoTurismo OMET por confiarnos su 1ª Cumbre. El EnoTurismo es un motor para el desarrollo socioeconómico de las regiones vitivinícolas, una plataforma para promover la cultura local y un puente que fortalece los lazos entre productores, empresarios y aficionados al vino de todo el mundo”, expresó el Ministro de Turismo.

Rafael Ansón indicó que  “la gastronomía ha pasado a ser una de las motivaciones más importantes para los turistas a la hora de elegir un destino, clave para impulsar el turismo de calidad.  Y, en ese marco, el EnoTurismo es uno de sus grandes atractivos: Visitar las bodegas, ver y caminar entre viñedos, degustar los vinos armonizados con la gastronomía local, es una vivencia enriquecedora desde el punto de vista recreativo, pero también cultural e histórico”, afirmó el Presidente de Honor de OMET y de la Academia Internacional de Gastronomía.

Por su parte, José Antonio Vidal puso énfasis en que el EnoTurismo Responsable se centra en fomentar un impacto positivo en los lugares visitados, contribuyendo así a que las generaciones futuras puedan seguir disfrutando y beneficiándose de estos destinos vinícolas, aspectos que serán claves para la elección de los 1ros. Premios OMET al Destino y a la Vivencia Responsables. Ello implica tomar decisiones conscientes antes, durante y después del viaje,  y requiere un esfuerzo colectivo de los viajeros, las comunidades locales, los gobiernos y la industria turística, apoyando tanto a las bodegas responsables como a los operadores turísticos responsables”, señalando el Presidente de OMET sobre “la importancia esencial en ser coo-petitivos (competir desde la colaboración) y en la mentalización por parte del empresario bodeguero que el enoTurismo no es ni enología ni viticultura, sino Turismo, sector terciario, sector servicios y que, como tal, debe ser considerado como unidad de negocio independiente gestionada por profesionales del sector turístico”.

Vidal concluyó sus palabras de bienvenida ofreciendo sendos emotivos homenajes in memoriam al profesor Eduardo Fayos-Solà y a la académica María Isabel Mijares García-Pelayo, ambos admirados y muy queridos por los asistentes y todo el sector en general.

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El Subsecretario de Turismo del Uruguay, Remo Monzeglio, entregó al Mejor Sumiller del Mundo 1971, Piero Sattanino, un reconocimiento a su dilatada y exitosa carrera profesional, y compromiso con la formación a través de la Asociación Italiana de Sumilleres.

PROGRAMA ACADÉMICO

Planes Estratégicos Responsables, Branding, Asociacionismo, Monitorización, MICE, Comunicación, Diseño y Comercialización de actividades, la importancia de la Turoperación y de la Capacitación, fueron presentados en formatos eminentemente prácticos -casos de éxito y ted-talks- por 80 autoridades de 16 países (www.gwto.org).

Directores de ocho Asociaciones de Enoturismo miembros de OMET remarcaron su importancia como interlocutoras entre el sector privado y público; Nardone concienció al sector bodeguero de “su posibilidad de incrementar beneficios organizando eventos en sus instalaciones”; Singerman hizo lo propio afirmando “la dificultad de tomar decisiones correctas sin la herramienta de gestión que suponen los observatorios”; Leonid Gelibterman (Vicepresidente OMET EurAsia) señaló que “el enoturismo y la gastronomía desempeñan un papel clave en el arraigo cultural y en la diplomacia pública. Hacemos un llamamiento a la responsabilidad por un futuro de bienestar medioambiental, político y sociocultural”; Milton Zuanazzi (Director OMET Brasil) se refirió al enoturismo como “una visión estratégica y de marketing paralela a la industria vitivinícola: Mientras la industria se preocupa del contenido de la copa, nosotros deberíamos dedicarnos a lo que hay fuera de ella”; Marisa Ramos (Directora OMET México) indicó que “la exitosa integración del enoturismo a la oferta turística de México en el plano internacional, dependerá de una estrategia inteligente y bien coordinada: OMET ofrece los elementos y talento para aprovechar esta oportunidad histórica y consolidarse como uno de los destinos emergentes más convenientes a corto plazo”; y Gabriel Fidel (Director OMET Academy LatAm) concluyó “el congreso de Punta del Este ha puesto de manifiesto el rol de OMET, con sus aliados actuales y futuros como articuladores de estrategias y herramientas necesarias para un nuevo EnoTurismo”.

ÁREA EXPOSITIVA Y VISITAS TÉCNICAS

Los 350 asistentes pudieron conocer en directo las propuestas de los expositores en sus stands y participar de hasta cinco circuitos de visitas técnicas.

RONDA DE NEGOCIOS B2B

20 turoperadores internacionales se dieron cita en el Hotel Enjoy.

PREMIOS AL ENOTURISMO RESPONSABLE
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En la ceremonia de clausura se entregaron los Certificados de Membresías a los nuevos asociados a OMET, los Diplomas a las entidades colaboradoras, y los Premios OMET a casos de éxito de EnoTurismo Responsable: A la Intendencia de Montevideo como Destino Nacional, a Mendoza (Argentina) como Destino Internacional, y a Viña Santa Rita (Chile) como Vivencia Internacional.
Menciones de Honor a Viña Edén (Uruguay) como Vivencia Nacional Responsable y a EnoTurismo Extremadura (España) como Destino Internacional Responsable.

SEDE DE LA PRÓXIMA CUMBRE
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Las Cumbres Globales de OMET sobre EnoTurismo Responsable tendrán carácter rotatorio en sus sedes, y se encuadran en la planificación de su área MICE como parte de toda una propuesta de eventos en diferentes formatos que OMET pone a disposición de los destinos enoturísticos para su implementación, junto con el asesoramiento pertinente en Planes Estratégicos.

Como broche final fue anunciada la Municipalidad de Yantai (China) como sede de la próxima Cumbre 2025, postulándose varios destinos internacionales para las siguientes ediciones.

SOBRE OMET

La OMET y su OMET Academy conforman la Red Mundial de Emprendimiento y Conocimiento enoturísticos, integrada por entes públicos, por asociaciones, establecimientos ubicados en destinos vinícolas, y por instituciones académicas.
Su objetivo es favorecer el desarrollo socio-económico de los destinos con cultura vinícola, a través de propuestas de valor en los ámbitos académico, empresarial y público: Planes Estratégicos, diseñar y promover las respectivas Marcas Destino enoturístico-país/región y sus productos para su posicionamiento en mercados globales, programas formativos desde OMET Academy,  promoción con OMET MICE, comercialización mediante la plataforma de reservas EnoWineClub, y la Certificación Internacional OMET en Sostenibilidad Enoturística dirigida a destinos y establecimientos, y de Calidad Enoturística dirigida a establecimientos y orientada a la satisfacción de la experiencia del cliente.

¡Nos vemos en Yantai (China) en la Cumbre 2025!  

[email protected]

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The 13th Yantai International Wine Conference and Exposition kicked off in the coastal city of Yantai, Shandong province

Measuring 21,000 sqm, this year’s event highlights Yantai’s role as the only “International Grape and Wine City” in Asia, and aims to promote the integrated development of the city’s wine and wine tourism industries.

Jose Antonio Vidal, founder president of the Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO) has been warmly hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of China, the Shandong region and Yantai authorities, and by the board of the Yantai Wine and Vine Bureau. For the private sector side he attended meetings with the main wineries’ (Châteaux) owners and general managers.

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Yantai becomes a member of the World Wine Tourism Council

Mr. Vidal participated as speaker at the opening ceremony of the expo and delivered the Key-note speech: Yantai Wine Tourism at the Next Level.

He said that China and Yantai have over the past three years (2020-2021-2022) made efforts to be able to take advantage of the opportunity to promote the innovative development of the wine industry focused on tourism, with even more energy and more quality. More quality in the personal attitude that is reflected in the courage and entrepreneurial drive.

Three years that have made it possible for Yantai and GWTO to twin for a hopeful wine tourism future focused on solid fundaments to create and positioning the Yantai Wine Tourism Destination Brand on the world wine tourism map.

GWTO president spoke highly of Yantai’s efforts in deepening cooperation with GWTO to accelerate the integrated development of the local culture and wine tourism sector, through the International GWTO Quality Certified of the Yantai Wine Tourism Destination, organizing events to position the brand, participation in GWTO international events, to promote and commercialize the wine tourism activities into de marketplace EnoWineClub.com and the professionalization through training programs by GWTO Academy.

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GWTO supports APENO in its National Wine Tourism Awards 2023

The ceremony of the second edition of the APENO (Portuguese Winetourism
Association) / Ageas Seguros National Wine Tourism Award took place on the 26th
of May, at the Hotel Convento de São Paulo, in Redondo (Alentejo).
An event that distinguished the best wine tourism companies, practices and projects in Portugal, with Ageas Seguros as main sponsor, through a transparent vote carried out on an online platform by more than 250 judges.

The President of the Republic of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, appreciated the participation of the Minister of Agriculture and the support of the President of the Global Wine Tourism Organization GWTO, highlighted Portuguese tourism and wines, recognized as among the world’s best, wishing APENO the greatest successes.

“Hospitality and Accommodation are the Alpha and the Omega of service excellence” José Antonio Vidal, President of GWTO

During the event, presented by Mónica Jardim, the GWTO President participated in the Awards ceremony for Best Hospitality (Herdade da Malhadinha Nova) and Best Accommodation (Torre de Palma Wine Hotel). In the words of José Antonio Vidal “Hospitality and Accommodation are the Alpha and Omega of service excellence: the keys to success or failure”.

The event was attended by several official entities, including the Secretaries of State for Tourism, Nuno Fazenda, and Agriculture, Gonçalo Rodrigues; the President of the Vine and Wine Institute, Bernardo Gouvêa; the President of the Regional Tourism Authority of Alentejo, Vitor Silva; the Presidents and/or representatives of the National CVR’s and Regional Tourism Entities; as well as José Antonio Vidal, President of the Global Wine Tourism Organization GWTO, the organization that represents Wine Tourism worldwide: “It was a pleasure getting Portugal to attend the Awards. GWTO supports the labour of APENO in Portugal and I believe it is already bearing fruit. Congratulations APENO and to all winners and finalists!”.

“APENO is growing every day and making an important progress in structuring the sector. Bringing together the world of wine and tourism at this exceptional event that rewards the best in wine tourism makes us feel delighted. The event was different, creative, full of glamour, surprises and details. In what depends on us. And always be this way!”, Maria João de Almeida, APENO President.

The Russian National Culinary Association joins Global Wine Tourism Organization

The Russian National Culinary Association joins GWTO

The Russian National Culinary Association (RNCA) became the first Full Member in Russia of the Global Wine Tourism Organization (RNCA). The accession agreement was signed by their presidents Mr. José Antonio Vidal and Mr. Victor Belyaev.

Founded in 1990, RNCA is the most distinguished professional associations in the country joinning chefs, cooks, and industry organizations from various regions of Russian Federation, representing Russia in the World Association of Chef’s Societies ‘Worldchefs’ (WACS).

Mr. José Antonio Vidal and Mr. Victor Belyaev

The first meeting between both presidents took place in Perm (Russia) with the occasion of the National Culinary Art and Service Olympiad ‘Legend’ with the mediation of GWTO Vice President for EurAsia, Mr. Leonid Gelibterman.

Wine tourism is inextricably linked to gastronomy, and this agreement between GWTO and RNCA opens up new opportunities and prospects for the development of enogastronomic tourism in Russia.

About GWTO

A Global wine, agri and gastro Tourism Business and Knowledge Network, comprising the whole agritourism value chain located in wine destinations -related to ‘wine’ in its broader sense-, the public sector and the academic by GWTO Academy. GWTO has been created to enhance the social-economic development of wine tourism destinations and its residents through strategic value propositions, as part of an inclusive and supportive governance framework, based on the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

For more info:
Julia Smirnova
[email protected]

GWTO invited by Russian authorities

The president CEO of the Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO) José Antonio Vidal, got Russia despite all the difficulties of traveling during the pandemic. The main purpose of his visit was to hold meetings with representatives of the russian public, private and academic sectors.

Mr. Vidal’s trip started in the city of Perm (Ural region), where he participated in the Russian Culinary and Services Olympiad «Legend». Chefs from all over Russia, including regions with great potential for the development of wine tourism, took part in the Culinary Olympiad.

The opening ceremony was attended by Governor of Perm Krai,Dmitry Makhonin, the president of the National Culinary Association of Russia, Victor Belyaev, and Leonid Gelibterman, GWTO Director for Central EurAsia region and president of the russian International Center of Wine and Gastronomy. In the opening ceremony, José Antonio Vidal said: “On behalf of the GWTO I congratulate all participants and organizers of the Olympiad and wish success to the National Culinary Association of Russia. I bring you also greetings and best wishes from Rafael Ansón, Honorary President of the GWTO and President of Honor of the International Academy of Gastronomy”.

Together with Yulia Vetoshkina, Minister of Tourism and Youth Policy of the Perm Krai, and Yulia Rybakova, Adviser to the Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism (Rostourism), José Antonio Vidal took part in the panel discussion ‘Development of gastronomic tourism in Russia’, moderated by Leonid Gelibterman, in which Mr. Vidal stressed that “wine tourism -matching with gastronomy proposals- is the real motor for agritourism destinations”, offering GWTO support for its socio-economic development.

José Antonio Vidal gave as well a master class about wine tourism for professors and students of the Higher School of Economics, one of the leading universities in Russia with campus in Perm, Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

GWTO president had a useful and important meeting with the Minister of Tourism and Youth Policy of the Perm Krai, Yulia Vetoshkina, who appreciated the potential of cooperation with the GWTO for the development of agritourism in the Perm Region, planning to include in the next meeting the Ministers of Culture and Agriculture, as well as the academic sector of Perm. As a joke -but, as we know, every joke has its share of truth-, Ms. Vetoshkina suggested opening a GWTO office in Perm.

In Moscow, José Antonio Vidal held four important negotiations with the main national stakeholders.

The president of the Union of Winegrowers and Winemakers of Russia,Leonid Popovich, who said: “We discussed the benefits of GWTO membership for producers who are members of the Union of Winegrowers and Winemakers of Russia”. Mr. Popovich described the possibilities of cooperation as fantastic: “We also discussed the prospects of cooperation between the GWTO Academy and Russian universities because the Union of Winegrowers and Winemakers is interested in increasing the professional level of the industry participants”. 

From the Government of the Russian Federation, the Adviser to the Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism (Rostourism), Yulia Rybakova, will organize meetings among GWTO with the Ministers of Tourism of the Russian wine regions.

From the academic side, the Rector of the Moscow State University of Tourism and Sports, Masyagina Natalia Vasilievna, has also shown her interest in the educational field of the GWTO Academy.

Finally, José Antonio Vidal held a meeting with the Director of Simple Wine Travel Agency, Natalia Zhestkova, the main outcoming wine tourism touroperator in Russia.

About GWTO

A Global wine, agri and gastro Tourism Business and Knowledge Network, comprising the whole agritourism value chain located in wine destinations -related to ‘wine’ in its broader sense-, the public sector and the academic by GWTO Academy. GWTO has been created to enhance the social-economic development of wine tourism destinations and its residents through strategic value propositions, as part of an inclusive and supportive governance framework, based on the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

More info: Julia Smirnova
[email protected]

The Georgian EnoTourism Association (GETA) and Caucasus Int’l University join GWTO

With many centuries of experience in the field of winemaking, Georgia considers wine tourism as a source of revitalization.

To advance and move forward into a management and development stage, the Georgian EnoTourism Association (Geta) and its associate, the Caucasus International University (CIU), have formalized their membership to the Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO).

“Working together with GWTO is a great opportunity to promote the development of wine tourism in Georgia, actively contribute to the success of family wineries and their products, increase educational activities and, most importantly, to carry Georgia’s name as one of the best destinations for wine tourism in the international arena”, says the founder and member of the Geta Board of Directors, Kety Gorgiladze.

On August 5, the Rector of CIU, Kakhaber Kordzaia, and the founder of Geta, Keti Gorgiladze, held a meeting with the President of GWTO José Antonio Vidal, and the Senior Advisor, Carlos Vogeler, during which various areas of cooperation with GWTO and with the GWTO Academy were discussed.

Geta and GWTO thank the Ambassador of Georgia in Spain, H.E. Mr. Ilia Giorgadze for his collaboration, as well as the gastronomic writer and editor Federico Oldenburg, for his mediation.

The Global Wine Tourism Organization is presented in Puglia (Italy)

The first experience in Puglia for José Antonio Vidal (OMET President), where he had the opportunity to participate in a journey along almost the entire region to discover some excellent food and wine experiences having the opportunity to know its history, culture, tradition and simplicity of the genuine products of this land of the sun, taking an active part in all activities: picked tomatoes, strawberries and zucchini in a farm in Manduria run by a typical apulian family; visited the olive oil mills (frontoi) typical of Gallipoli area; has tasted the wines of the best wineries that produce Primitivo and Negramaro inside some exclusive Masserie, only to name a few. And to get even more into connection with the locals, José Antonio participated in a lab-cooking class to create the famous orecchiette, one of the symbolic products of the region.

During the live event at Oasi Quattro Colonne (Santa Maria al Bagno, Lecce) -the first in attendance after almost two years!-,  José Antonio presented GWTO to Puglia, the Global Wine Tourism Organization, in order to give its support to all companies and local actors who want to enter into a new vision of Wine Tourism: “Smart tourist destinations cannot exist without taking account of the sustainability and inclusiveness, not only as distinctive factors, but also as fundamental principles of the company’s philosophy and daily practice.  Now the capital relational takes on value over any other capital, ways of relating and uniting to be successful:  working together within the industry to strengthen quality and support the sale of local and fresh products and season to reactivate consumption and economy, supporting the entrepreneurial fabric “closer”, said the GWTO president.

In addition to interactive workshops and show cookings that have delighted all guests, high-level speakers have followed each other in the thematic panels.

About GWTO

A Global Wine Tourist Business and Knowledge Network -related to wine in its broader sense-, comprising the whole agritourist value chain (from public, private resources located in wine destinations, and academic sectors),  to contribute to the social-economic development of wine tourism destinations, as part of an inclusive and supportive governance framework based on the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

More information: [email protected]

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