7-9 September 2016 World  Tourism  Organization (UNWTO) will conduct in Kakheti (Georgia) the International  Wine Tourism Conference. Taleb Rifai,  UNWTO Secretary General,  announced about this at  World Travel Market Tourism Fair in London.

This event is envisaged within UNWTO Gastronomic network’s action plan. UNWTO Gastronomy Network was officially launched in September 2015 during the General Assembly in Medellin, Colombia, and has the aim to disseminate information and knowledge for the  further development of gastronomic tourism.

In the words of Taleb Rifai, "Wine tourism is a growing segment with huge potential for the diversification of demand. Georgia’s potential is well known, and we are glad  to hold  the first World Conference of wine tourism in this country."

Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Dimitri Kumsishvili commented on that decision as follows: "The unique tradition of wine-making in Georgia has 8000 years of history and is part of the Intangible Heritage of UNESCO  creating  an  ideal base to host the wine tourism Conference.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations Agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. Its membership  includes 157 countries, 6 associate members and more than 480 partners from the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.