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Bahrain to Host 9th Edition of World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism

The selection of Bahrain has been based on the country’s unique tourism and entertainment features. BNA
The selection of Bahrain has been based on the country’s unique tourism and entertainment features. BNA
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Bahrain to Host 9th Edition of World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism

The selection of Bahrain has been based on the country’s unique tourism and entertainment features. BNA
The selection of Bahrain has been based on the country’s unique tourism and entertainment features. BNA

The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) announced that it has chosen Bahrain to host the 9th edition of the World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism 2024, the largest international event in the sector.

The selection of Bahrain has been based on the country’s unique tourism and entertainment features, being one of the best destinations of arts and gastronomy in the Middle East.

The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 8th World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, held in San Sebastian, Spain, on October 5-7. The annual event aims at encouraging expertise exchange among tourism and gastronomy experts, and increasing awareness about the food culture and heritage and its role in promoting tourism.

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) plans to organize the forum at the Exhibition World Bahrain, Sakhir, one of the largest event venues in the region.

The international recognition emphasizes the position of Bahrain as one of the world’s best culinary destination for food lovers and gastronomy explorers, in line with the country’s tourism strategy 2022-2026 aimed at presenting the kingdom as a tourism pioneer in the region and the world.

“We are very happy to bring the forum to the Middle East for the first time. As this region lives rapid development in tourism, we are thrilled to showcase Bahrain’s rich heritage and the unique sharing spirit embedded in its gastronomy – a driver of tourism development,” UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili was quoted as saying by the Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

“Bahrain is proud to have such a varied combination of culinary tastes that reflect its rich legacy and its appealing spotlight for gastronomists and culinary tourists. The forum will serve as an ideal platform to offer the best innovative solutions to elevate gastronomy tourism, highlighting the kingdom’s outstanding gourmet and culinary experience based on its rich legacy, intersection of civilizations and cultures, local cuisine diversity, and fame for diverse tastes. The forum will positively support tourism product diversity and increase inbound tourism influx,” said BTEA chief executive Dr. Nasser Qaedi.

The upcoming forum in Bahrain will greatly contribute to promoting the growth of tourism, and the sectors, companies and national cadres supporting it, in a way that enhances the Kingdom’s regional position as a promising destination for gastronomy tourism, while establishing more partnerships among stakeholders in the sector to ensure the success of the forum, promote gastronomy tourism and the overall contribution of tourism to the national economy.

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'Amphibious Mouse' among 27 New Species Discovered in Peru's Amazon

A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS
A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS
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'Amphibious Mouse' among 27 New Species Discovered in Peru's Amazon

A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS
A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS

An "amphibious mouse" with partially webbed feet that eats aquatic insects was among 27 new species discovered during a 2022 expedition to Peru's Amazon, according to Conservation International.

Scientists also discovered a spiny mouse, a squirrel, eight types of fish, three amphibians and 10 types of butterflies, Trond Larsen, head of Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program, told Reuters this week.

He added that another 48 species found by investigators were potentially new, but needed further study.

The new species were found in Alto Mayo, a protected area with several ecosystems, Indigenous territories and villages.

"Discovering so many new species of mammals and vertebrates is really incredible, especially in such a human-influenced landscape as Alto Mayo," Larsen said.

The expedition between June and July 2022 was made up of 13 scientists plus local technicians and members of Indigenous groups.

"It was really fantastic to work so closely with the Awajun people. They have extensive traditional knowledge about the forests, animals and plants they live side-by-side with," Larsen said.

Among the new species, Larsen highlighted the spiny mouse that has stiff fur, the amphibious mouse, and a dwarf squirrel that measures 14 cm (5.5 in).

"(The squirrel) fits so easily in the palm of your hand. Adorable and beautiful chestnut-brown color, very fast," Larsen said. "It jumps quickly and hides in the trees."

Another favorite discovery was the blob-headed fish, a type of armored catfish, he said.

A total of 2,046 species were recorded during the 38-day expedition using camera traps, bioacoustic sensors and DNA sampling. Among them, 49 were classified as threatened, including the yellow-tailed woolly monkey and the tree monkey.

Larsen said the discoveries reinforced the need to protect the area.

"Unless steps are taken now to safeguard these sites and help restore parts of the landscape ... there's a strong chance they won't persist in the long term," Larsen said.