Lithuania gained visibility within the international culinary tourism community – representatives of the Lithuanian Countryside Tourism Association (LKTA) participated in the international BASCIL (Boosting Agro-Food Sustainability through Culinary and Innovation Links) project conference, which brought together experts, researchers, and gastronomic tourism developers from across Europe.
At the conference, LKTA Board Chair Lina Noreikaitė–Rimkienė delivered a presentation highlighting Lithuania’s culinary and gastronomic tourism potential, emerging trends, and the country’s unique strengths in the broader European context.
“It was an excellent opportunity to present Lithuania’s experience to Europe – from traditional recipes that have retained centuries of history to the journey of local products and their integration into modern gastronomic experiences. It is also a chance to learn from other countries that have successfully turned culinary tourism into a competitive regional advantage,” said Lina Noreikaitė–Rimkienė.
Discussions at the conference focused on sustainability criteria in culinary tourism, the impact of local products on regional economies, the role of innovation in interpreting traditional recipes, and the creation of cooperation networks among farmers, food producers, and tourism service providers.
Dr. Agnė Vaitkuvienė: “Lithuania has everything it needs to become a leader in culinary tourism in the Baltic region.”
Assessing the outcomes of the conference, LKTA President Dr. Agnė Vaitkuvienė emphasized that the BASCIL project provides a unique opportunity to view Lithuanian gastronomic tourism from an international perspective: “Lithuania has a rich culinary heritage, natural products, professional producers, and authentic countryside tourism homesteads. These four key elements – when properly combined – can make our country one of the most attractive culinary tourism destinations in the Baltic region. Participation in the BASCIL project helps us strengthen this direction, draw on European experience, and create higher value-added services in rural areas.”
New insights return to Lithuania
Following the conference, LKTA representatives brought back practical ideas, including: how to develop gastronomic routes in rural areas; how to involve local farmers and producers in tourism product development; how to strengthen the recognition of Lithuanian culinary heritage across Europe; how traditional recipes can become the foundation for modern tourism services; how culinary tourism can contribute to the economic vitality of regions.
Participation in the international BASCIL conference is an important step toward further developing culinary tourism in Lithuania’s countryside homesteads and engaging local communities in the creation of sustainable, high-quality gastronomic experiences.