Preserving Filipino Culinary Culture with Clang Garcia as the new WFTA Ambassador
The World Food Travel Association (WFTA), the world’s leading authority on the food and beverage tourism industry, has named Clang Garcia its Philippine Ambassador. Founded in 2003, the mission of the WFTA is to preserve and promote culinary cultures through tourism and hospitality, thereby creating economic prosperity.
“I am thrilled to represent the Association here in the Philippines and help all of our extraordinary local food and beverage businesses to thrive through the experience economy,” said Clang Garcia, Culinary Experience Officer (CEO), Food Holidays. “I’m a firm believer that the country’s cuisine is an emblem of culture, and I’m proud to have the chance to help preserve and promote our country’s unique culinary culture on a global arena through the WFTA.”
As an ambassador, Garcia’s primary duties will be representing the Association in the Philippines, including fielding media inquiries, speaking on behalf of the Association at trade events, and general dissemination of food and beverage tourism information throughout the country.
Ambassadors represent the interests of the Association locally and bring awareness of food and drink from the local area to the international community. Ambassadors host local trade networking events, distribute the Association’s news to area professionals, and assist with local food tourism programs as appropriate.
Erik Wolf, Executive Director of the World Food Travel Association, added, “As an international organization, it is important that we focus on the uniqueness of individual culinary cultures across the globe, and nearly all areas have great food stories to share. As the Philippine Ambassador to our Association, Clang Garcia will help us identify and create opportunities to drive revenue for the area’s food and beverage entrepreneurs, increase visitor arrivals and tax revenue for tourism offices and governments, and identify new newsworthy stories for local media to share.”
About Clang Garcia
Clang Garcia is a Philippine gastronomy tourism disruptor. She is a Filipino food scholar who conducts independent research that ripples through product and destination development, curation of immersive journeys, and educational content on print, TV, and social media channels.
She is the author of Philippine Food Holidays, a compendium of guided itineraries mapped amidst the pandemic, a humble contribution to the battered culinary and tourism sector. It was recently nominated in the Gourmand World Awards – The Best in the World.
She is the food and travel host of Cignal TV’s DiscoverEats, a program spotlighting unsung heritage dishes, bearers of traditions, and cultural communities around the Philippines.
Her work paved the way for crafting gastronomic experiences for international gastronomy media, chefs, authors, restaurateurs, and cerebral foodies.
She sits at the Council of Advisers of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management for the Master of Science and Doctorate Programs of Tourism and Hospitality Management.
About the World Food Travel Association (WFTA).
Founded in 2003, the World Food Travel Association (WFTA) is an international non-profit organization and the world’s leading authority on gastronomy tourism. It provides research, events, tools, and thought leadership to support industry development and increase the economic impact of gastronomy tourism in communities worldwide. The organization also provides training, certification, recognition, and networking opportunities to culinary tourism professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Visit www.WorldFoodTravel.org for more information.
Follow the Out of Town Travel Blog on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest if you want more travel and food-related updates.