Information Note 6th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism Gastronomy Tourism: Promoting Rural Tourism and Regional Development Bruges, Flanders (Belgium), 1- 4 June 2020 In collaboration with: VISIT FLANDERS VISIT BRUGES World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) - A Specialized Agency of the United Nations Poeta Joan Maragall 42, 28020 Madrid, Spain. Tel: (34) 91 567 81 00 – [email protected] / unwto.org 1-4 June 2020, Bruges, Flanders (Belgium) 1. DATE AND VENUE The Forum will be held on 1-4 June 2020 at the: Concertgebouw Brugge ‘t Zand 34 8000 Brugge, Belgium https://www.concertgebouw.be/en As an international cultural temple, the Concertgebouw is located on the edge of Bruges’ historic city centre. This international music and art centre is a place that offers the very best in contemporary dance and classical music. The programme features outstanding concerts, fascinating festivals and a range of in-depth contextual activities that provide the perfect ingredients for a fascinating cultural trip. The impressive Concert Auditorium (1,289 seats) and intimate Chamber Music Hall (322 seats) are famed for their excellent acoustics. In the Concert Hall, you can also admire various contemporary works of art. 2. REGISTRATION AND BADGES To participate in this event, prior registration is required. As the capacity is limited, we recommend registering as soon as possible. Online registration is available at the following link – https://www.unwto.org/6th-unwto-world-forum-on-gastronomy-tourism Badges will be available for collection prior to the Forum at the registration desk on 2nd of June from 8:00-10:00 and on 3rd of June from 8.00-9.00. Participants will be required to wear the identification badges in the area reserved for the Forum. 3. PROGRAMME The Preliminary Programme of the Forum extends over 4 days including technical sessions, several thematic panels and social activities on 1-4 June 2020. Please find detailed information on the Forum´s website https://www.unwto.org/6th-unwto-world-forum-on-gastronomy-tourism Opening reception (invitations only) On Monday 1st of June, the first evening of the Forum, the welcome reception by Flanders and Bruges will be organized in a unique venue in Bruges. Young top chefs from the region, called the Flanders Kitchen Rebels, will treat you on the best local classics the Flemish gastronomy has to offer. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) - A Specialized Agency of the United Nations 2 Poeta Joan Maragall 42, 28020 Madrid, Spain. Tel: (34) 91 567 81 00 – [email protected] / unwto.org 1-4 June 2020, Bruges, Flanders (Belgium) Learning experiences Learning experiences at various locations in Bruges and surroundings (2 and 3 June – available for free) and elsewhere in Flanders (4 June – available at extra cost) demonstrate the best of Flanders as new culinary destination. Local stakeholders will share their stories, projects, vision and ambitions on gastronomy tourism through workshops, tastings, demos and guided walks and visits. Themes include rural tourism development; gastronomy tourism development and promotion; sustainable food production/ fair-trade; culinary craftsmanship and local products; tourism and (culinary) heritage; and education and job creation in the (gastronomy) tourism sector. Please note that the learning experiences will be allocated on the spot according to your preferred themes that you choose when registering. World café - Farewell get together The closing event will take place on the evening of 3rd of June at Brewery De Halve Maan, an authentic family brewery in the heart of Bruges. This is an informal farewell get together to exchange experiences and lessons learned while tasting exquisite beers and finger food in a Flemish pub setting. To participate in this activity, please indicate so when you register online. 4. ENTRY FORMALITIES Depending on your nationality when travelling to a European country, a visa may be required to enter the Schengen area. This area covers a large number of countries, including Belgium. Citizens of a Schengen country / European Union country A citizen of the Schengen Area / European Union has the right to enter Belgium: 1) upon presentation of a national identity card (proof of registration in population registers), or 2) upon presentation of a valid national passport (a travel document). Every citizen of the Union has the right to stay in Belgium for a maximum period of 90 days, regardless of the reason for the stay. Citizens of other countries A citizen of one of these countries (please refer to below link) has the right to enter Belgium on presentation of a valid national passport (= a travel document). At the border (or during other World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) - A Specialized Agency of the United Nations 3 Poeta Joan Maragall 42, 28020 Madrid, Spain. Tel: (34) 91 567 81 00 – [email protected] / unwto.org 1-4 June 2020, Bruges, Flanders (Belgium) controls) those citizens may have to provide additional documentation, for example information on that they have sufficient financial means to cover the stay and the return trip. It is therefore highly recommended that they carry with them copies of the same documents that must be presented on the occasion of visa-application by citizens of third-countries requiring a Schengen-visa A permanently updated list of third countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders can be found here: https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/borders-and- visas/visa-policy/apply_for_a_visa/docs/visa_lists_en.pdf How and where should you apply? In principle you have to apply in the country where you legally reside to the Consulate of Belgium. If Belgium has no Consulate in that country, then you should go to the Consulate of the Schengen partner representing Belgium. In order to verify which embassy is competent for your country of residence and whether Belgium is represented by a Schengen partner for short stay visa, please go to this website: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/downloads/competence_representation_visa_en g_20181127.pdf Addresses and contact information of Belgian Embassies and Consulates can be found here: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/embassies_and_consulates/belgian_embassies_and_ consulates_abroad Some nationalities are subject to a compulsory security clearance by the Schengen partners. Please note that this clearance takes on average 12 days to obtain once the file is sent by the Embassy /Consulate. Participants are encouraged to apply well in advance. Some Belgian Consulates or Schengen partners representing Belgium have an electronic appointment system. Some Belgian Consulates or Schengen partners representing Belgium are working with external service providers for lodging the visa applications. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) - A Specialized Agency of the United Nations 4 Poeta Joan Maragall 42, 28020 Madrid, Spain. Tel: (34) 91 567 81 00 – [email protected] / unwto.org 1-4 June 2020, Bruges, Flanders (Belgium) Participants are requested to refer to the webpage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Government of Spain in order to obtain information on visa requirements and procedures: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/travel_to_belgium/visa_for_belgium 5. SANITARY REQUIREMENTS No vaccinations are required. 6. LOCAL TRANSPORTATION UPON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURES The Government of Flanders will provide 3 daily buses for the international participants arriving at the Brussels Airport (IATA: BRU, ICAO: EBBR) (also called Brussel-Nationaal / Bruxelles- National (Brussels-National) or Luchthaven Zaventem). The transfers will follow below schedule with direction to Bruges and it will stop at the bus point (Bargeplein), 10 minutes walking distance from the city centre, as buses cannot enter the city centre. Upon arrival* 31 May 1 June - Morning - Morning 08:00 a.m. 07:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. - Afternoon - Afternoon 14:30 p.m. 12:15 a.m. - Evening - Evening 19:00 a.m. 19:30 p.m. Upon departure* 5 June - Morning 09:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. - Evening 16:30 p.m. *A detailed schedule of shuttle services will be provided in due course. World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) - A Specialized Agency of the United Nations 5 Poeta Joan Maragall 42, 28020 Madrid, Spain. Tel: (34) 91 567 81 00 – [email protected] / unwto.org 1-4 June 2020, Bruges, Flanders (Belgium) The Secretariat cannot ensure the transfer of those participants who have not submitted their flight details. This service is only available for those participants who have submitted their travel itinerary before 22 May 2020 on the online registration. DAILY TRANSFERS Bus Point Bargeplein 1 June 2 June 3 June - Social activities - Opening reception (La - Social activities 14:30 p.m. Brugeoise) 14:30 p.m. 19:30 p.m. - Bus point 22:00 p.m. 7. HOW TO GET TO BRUGES With over 8 million visitors every year, Bruges is one of the most touristic cities in Europe and therefore easy accessible no matter what your method of transport: https://www.visitbruges.be/en/accessibility World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) - A Specialized Agency of the United Nations 6 Poeta Joan Maragall 42, 28020 Madrid, Spain. Tel: (34) 91 567 81 00 – [email protected] / unwto.org 1-4 June 2020, Bruges, Flanders (Belgium) BY PLANE The nearest airport is Ostend-Bruges Airport, a small-scale airport 30 km from Bruges. The national airport, Brussels Airport-Zaventem, is located on the outskirts of the capital Brussels, about 100 km from Bruges. The regional Brussels South Charleroi Airport is located in the south of Brussels, 150 km from Bruges. Ostend-Bruges Airport (OST) 30 km Brussels Airport-Zaventem (BRU) 100 km Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) 150 km VIA BRUSSELS AIRPORT-ZAVENTEM The national airport daily receives flights from more than 200 cities in 85 countries. It is easy to travel from Brussels Airport-Zaventem to Bruges by train.