Cambrils is finalising preparations to host the first edition of the International Food Tourism Conference (IFOODTC) on 10 and 11 November 2026. This international congress will gather food tourism professionals, travel agencies, tour operators, specialised journalists, and representatives from tourist destinations worldwide.
With just over a week until the event, it presents a significant opportunity to enhance Cambrils' international profile as a key gastronomic destination and showcase the culinary richness of the Costa Daurada region. Organised by Wine Events Worldwide, the team behind the well-regarded International Wine Tourism Conference (IWINETC), the IFOODTC marks a new chapter focused specifically on food tourism.
The selection of Cambrils as the host city acknowledges its efforts in promoting gastronomy as a central element of its tourism identity. Confirmed attendees include travel agents and tour operators from various international markets such as the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Armenia, Norway, Sweden, Japan, Australia, Brazil, and South Africa, highlighting the congress's global reach and the growing interest in culinary tourism experiences.
Additionally, specialised journalists and communicators from countries including the United States, Norway, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom will participate, providing an opportunity to increase visibility for Cambrils and the Costa Daurada in international media, specialised publications, and digital platforms.
Beyond the conference sessions, these professionals will have the chance to experience the region's tourism and gastronomic offerings first-hand, engage with local producers and businesses, and discover experiences that blend gastronomy, heritage, landscape, and local culture.
The presence of these professionals is particularly beneficial for tourism promotion, as it fosters direct relationships with companies that design and market culinary travel experiences in various international markets, as well as with media outlets capable of introducing the destination to new audiences.
The IFOODTC programme will primarily take place at the Sol Port Cambrils hotel, featuring discussions on key challenges and trends in food tourism, including sustainability, innovation, new technologies, artificial intelligence in tourism marketing, and the role of gastronomy in differentiating destinations.
The inaugural day on 10 November will include a presentation showcasing Cambrils as a gastronomic destination, highlighting how its maritime tradition, local produce, olive oil, and dining options contribute to a unique culinary identity that attracts visitors year-round.
A notable aspect of the programme will be its experiential component, allowing participants to explore Cambrils' culinary culture through activities related to Mediterranean vermouth, fishing traditions, romesco sauce, extra virgin olive oil production, and seafood. Experiences will take place at locations such as the Fishermen's Guild, the Cambrils Agricultural Cooperative, Samà Park, and the Cambrils port, offering insights into the products, producers, and traditions that define local gastronomy.
On 11 November, a special B2B professional meeting will facilitate business interactions between international tour operators specialising in food tourism and companies offering culinary and wine-related experiences. This activity aims to generate contacts, explore new marketing avenues, and create collaboration opportunities among participating professionals.
The organisation of the IFOODTC is a collaborative effort between the Cambrils Municipal Tourism Board, the Costa Daurada Tourism Board, and the congress organisers, aiming to leverage this international event to highlight the region's gastronomic offerings and strengthen ties with professionals from key markets.
Patricia de Miguel, the Councillor for Tourism and Economic Promotion in Cambrils, stated, “We are facing an extraordinary opportunity to showcase Cambrils to professionals who have a direct influence on the selection and marketing of gastronomic destinations worldwide.” She added, “This is not just about hosting an international congress; it is about ensuring that those who visit us discover our gastronomy, our products, and our experiences, and that they can become advocates for Cambrils and the Costa Daurada in their respective markets.”
De Miguel emphasised that “gastronomy is one of our key differentiators and has the potential to generate reasons to visit us year-round. We want professionals participating in the IFOODTC to discover that Cambrils offers much more than excellent dining: behind our cuisine lies a maritime tradition, producers, a territory, and an identity that we wish to preserve and share with the world.”
The inaugural international congress reinforces Cambrils' commitment to food tourism as a tool for economic development and destination promotion while contributing to its positioning as the Gastronomic Capital of the Costa Daurada.
