Gastronomical Tourism Clusters in Iceland 2014 - search for EDEN nominee and runners up

ended

The main objective of the project is to set up national procedures and criteria for selecting an Icelandic destination of excellence in accordance with the EDEN theme for 2014 “Tourism and Local Gastronomy”. The selected destinations will have to fulfill the conditions of the mandatory general award criteria listed in Chapter 2.2.3. of the Call for Proposals and the specific award criteria of cooperation between local producers and local retail and catering enterprises with the objective of sustainable production and promotion of local products and local gastronomy. This selection process will give the Icelandic Tourist Board an excellent chance to highlight the importance and many growth opportunities connected to sustainable local food production and promotion of local gastronomy. A strong network of local food clusters around the country can be an important tool in combating seasonality and encouraging tourists to visit various parts of Iceland during the off season months. The main objective above will be reached through various actions such as: • Appointing an operative team which will manage the project procedure. • Designing a transparent selection scheme with tools that are easy to use and to the point. • Launching an information campaign designed to reach all likely applicants. • Assisting likely applicants by providing a seminar on the initiative and how to apply. • Appointing a neutral selection committee that executes the project’s selection scheme and selects the nominee and runners up for 2014. • Organizing a national award ceremony designed to promote the winners and to raise awareness of the EDEN initiative. • Hosting a workshop for new and former EDEN nominees and runners up to discuss ideas and experiences of the initiative, find new networking possibilities and to encourage the start of a national EDEN network. • Reviewing the project procedure through writing a comprehensive final report.