Last 18 March became official presentation of the candidacy of Dénia Creative City of Gastronomy UNESCO recognition that currently only have five cities in the world and that the successful, would achieve excellence in one of the mainstays of tourism in the city gastronomy.
The Mayor of Dénia, together with the Councilor of Tourism, Pepa Font, The president of AETHMA, Cristina Sellés, and the Autonomous Secretary for Tourism, Daniel Marco, presented the project, which has been prepared by a team of experts in various areas and endorsed by a technical committee made up of the University of Alicante, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Miguel Hernández University of Elx , the UNED, the Dénia CDT, Invat.tur (Valencian Institute of Tourism Technologies), Creama, the Public Health Center and the Fishermen's Guild.
The mayor acknowledged that this achievement "it will not be easy", But "There is much enthusiasm put in this candidacy, backed by a job well done."
The project
Councilor Pepa Font explained that the submitted project has been structured into four areas of action ranging from the creation of a gastronomic observatory as a space for reflection and diffusion of gastronomy intercity network to the presentation of Dénia as a model of formal training , through the dissemination of the Mediterranean diet and cuisine of the sea and the actions taken from tourism related to gastronomy.
With project documentation have also submitted letters of support from Unesco Spain, most representatives of employers' national hospitality and the provinces of Valencia and Alicante, associations representing institutional and tourism industry and local associations.
Also they have gathered letters of support from the mayors of the five cities that already have this recognition Popayan (Colombia), Chengdu (China), Ostersund (Sweden), Jeonju (Korea) and Zahle (Lebanon), and Seville , the only Spanish city that belongs to the Network of UNESCO as a Creative city of Music.
Although the project is presented, the candidate cities have until the April to expand 20 documentation, so that is when we know both other candidate cities as the whole project of Dénia.
Meet requirements
To be Creative City of Gastronomy, Dénia must meet a number of prerequisites that marks the UENSCO among them have developed a cuisine and characteristic of the region; count in the city with chefs and restaurants serving traditional cuisine; maintain traditional culinary practices; have a market and a traditional food industry; experience in organizing gastronomic events; respect for the environment and support local products and promote healthy eating in schools.
According to Councilwoman said, Dénia meets all requirements for achieving this designation, an international recognition that guarantees our cuisine.
Budget
While drafting the project does not involve a significant cost to city coffers, in the case of obtaining the title of UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Dénia would undertake to invest 321.000 euros in promoting gastronomy.
He explained the Font councilwoman, this money would be very little increase in the municipal budget, since 100.000 euros would be earmarked for the creation of the headquarters of Creative City of Gastronomy in the new tourist office which will be installed at the fish market, whose funds They would extract the Plan Trust. Also more than 50.000 euros to be allocated to courses is borne by the Invat.tur.
Support of the regional government
The Regional Secretary of Tourism, Daniel Marco, showed the full support of the Valencian government to this initiative, highlighting the positive impact that this denomination would have throughout the Region.
For Marco, this recognition would "play in 1º division" in a city "pull the car of good tuistic practices".
Trip to Paris to present the candidature
To secure the nomination, municipal representatives and local businessmen are considering the possibility of traveling to Paris to present at the headquarters of UNESCO project , together with the Tourism Minister.
competition
20 April until desconoceremos many cities aspire to be Creative City of Gastronomy at this time and which compete Dénia. What we do know is that the city of Vic Barcelona the only Spanish city that aspires to have this recognition.
UNESCO will announce the final verdict next 30 October.
