UN Tourism and FAO Mountain Partnership Launch Sustainable Gastronomy Tourism Project in Pacific SIDS

In the Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), agriculture remains central to rural livelihoods, offering critical economic opportunities and employment for local communities. Here, agrifood systems extend far beyond food production: they play a crucial role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage and traditional knowledge while supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management. Similar to remote mountain areas, these island communities rely on integrated food systems rooted in traditional practices and rich ecological diversity.

The initiative is being implemented in seven Pacific SIDS: Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Palau (through a dedicated project). Its ultimate goal is to develop Gastronomy Tourism Itineraries that feature authentic experiences—such as visits to organic farms and culinary workshops—tailored to each destination’s cultural and environmental identity.