Sarah Courtney,Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events
Launceston has received global recognition after been named as the newest City of Gastronomy as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
This incredible achievement places Launceston firmly on both the national and international maps, and cements the City as a global destination for culinary tourist seeking to enjoy food, wine and produce.
Launceston joins a select few cities around the world who have also received the prestigious recognition including Buenaventura in Colombia, Phuket in Thailand and San Antonio in the United States.
The criteria for the recognition includes:
* Vibrant gastronomy community with numerous traditional restaurants and/or chefs;
* Indigenous ingredients used in traditional cooking;
* Local know-how, traditional culinary practices and methods of cooking that have survived industrial/technological advancement;
* Tradition of hosting gastronomic festivals, awards, contests and other broadly-targeted means of recognition; and
* Respect for the environment and promotion of sustainable local products.
Congratulation to Launceston's diverse and vibrant food and wine producers and businesses who have worked hard to establish Launceston as a premiere culinary destination.
Launceston now joins Northern Tasmania as a member of an elite group of destinations that boast 3 UNESCO certifications, with Woolmers and Brickenden Estates (Convict) and Great Western Tiers as part of wilderness heritage.
