For the first time, Yantai will host the premier Summit of the international enotourism industry to demonstrate to the world, the charm of Yantai’s terroir and gastronomy blended with the beauty of its natural heritage of mountains and valleys down to the “Yantai wonderland seacoast”.
From the vineyard terraces of Penglai Qushan Valley to Zhangyu Castle Winery, from the Wine Culture Museum to the boutique wineries as perfect interpretation of “ Wanderlust and Lyricism” witnessing the leap of Chinese wine “from follower to leader”.
“Gastronomy has become the key element in the Nations’ brand image representing an integral part of their history and identity. Currently 85% of the tourists’ purchasing decision is based on gastronomical experience”, Rafael Ansón, GWTO honorary President, as well as of the International and Ibero-American Academies of Gastronomy.
The Summit aims to position the host wine region on the World Responsible EnoTourism Map becoming an international enotourism destination of reference in global markets.
From a wine-producing REGION to a world-renowned EnoGastro Global Tourism DESTINATION
“GWTO Summits follow a common pattern: to offer an open window promoting the best successful practices and trends worldwide, awarding destinations, establishments’ experiences, associations and training programs. In this sense, the Summit will emphasize the Yantai International Certification as a Global Responsible EnoTourism Destination, making the world take notice; the opening of the physically based GWTO Academy and the III GWTO Summit venue will also be announced”, José Antonio Vidal, GWTO Founder, President/Chief Executive officer.
GWTO’s Summits are designed in a way to strengthen relationships between the most relevant expert wine stakeholders. Gastronomy and tourist industries around the world, with the goal of supporting the EnoTourism destination objectives through actively sharing knowledge and challenging state-of-the-art research.
“From the founding of Zhangyu in 1892 to the construction of the French Lafite Rothchild group’s Long Dai Domaine, Yantai’s wine industry has developed over the years, and it already possesses a deep heritage and recognizable strength. We are committed to showing the world the unique charm of Yantai as a Global Responsible EnoTourism Destination by organizing the 2025 GWTO Summit, further enhancing the international influence of the Yantai wine industry, and promoting the Yantai wine and gastronomy tourism industry to a new height”, Yu Yongxin, Chairman of the Yantai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference [CPPCC] and head of the wine industry chain.
GWTO Summit concept means to combine in a unique event the three greatest items of interest for entrepreneurs, the public, consumers and professionals: 1] brands promotion [exhibition area and media],
2] business [workshop area for B2B rounds] and 3] research & training [academic Congress area]. An opportunity to develop wine and gastronomy culture through tourism [enotourism].
“Yantai has always been a strategic location for international wineries in Asia. At present, the city has formed a whole industry wide system covering grape cultivation, winery clusters, culture and tourism integration, with 63 boutique wineries, receiving more than three million Chinese tourists annually.
Through this GWTO Summit we will look forward to strengthening cooperation with our international counter parts working to accelerate Yantai’s integration into the world EnoTourism family. Let’s look forward to this grand event for a great future together with an open attitude”, Li Jun, Chairman of Yantai Wine Culture and Tourism Industry Development Alliance.
Yantai GWTO Summit: where international entities, wineries and destinations success cases, tour operators, experts and scholars will gather to build a global dialogue on the integration of wine culture and tourism all over the world, participating in field trips to wineries and in food and wine tastings.
“In 2023 the Yantai Wine Industry chain actively collaborated with the world’s two most authoritative organizations in wine and wine tourism. Yantai signed the latest cooperation agreement with the International Organisation of Vine and Wine [OIV], became a founding member of the OIV 100th anniversary “International Network of Vine and Wine Cities”, and Yantai joined the Global Wine Tourism Organization [GWTO]. Both goals laid a solid foundation for hosting the 2025 GWTO Summit”, Jiang Yingsong, Director of Yantai Vine and Wine Bureau.
About YANTAI WINE STYLE
Yantai is located at 37° north latitude, the ‘golden latitude’ of grape growing, and is uniquely endowed with one of the world’s seven major grape coasts. Its oceanic climate with an average annual sunshine duration of more than 2,600 hours, gravelly soil and temperate monsoon winds nurtured more than 40 high-quality winemaking grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Marselan, which has resulted in the Yantai wine style of fruity aroma and balanced structure.
About GWTO
A Global network of agro, gastro and eno Tourism entrepreneurship and knowledge, where public entities, tourism-oriented establishments, Gastro& Eno associations and academic: institutions share a common Mission: A comprehensive socio-cultural commitment to develop Responsible EnoTourism Practices for both visitors and those residing within wine producer regions.