TORONTO — At the Catalunya Experience event in Toronto, the food was plentiful and the wine was flowing, and the quality was first class – perfectly in keeping for a destination that was named the World Region of Gastronomy for 2025.

Travel industry media and supplier partners heard all about the region’s delicious offerings, and got a taste too, at yesterday’s lunch hosted by the Catalan Tourist Board, at Toronto restaurant Casa Paco.

Catalonia, at the very northeastern edge of Spain, is famous for all sorts of dishes, from fideuà (a noodle-based seafood paella), to pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato, Catalonia’s simple but iconic staple) to escudella (a traditional stew) and many more.

Of course Catalonia is also home to one of Spain’s biggest draws: Barcelona.

Attendees at yesterday’s event were treated to a walk-around tasting and canapés, followed by presentations showcasing the wine tourism experiences of Catalonia wine tourism destinations Costa Brava and Costa Daurada.

The event wrapped up with a guided tasting led by guest sommelier, Clara Antúnez from La Gastronomica, paired with shared dishes prepared by the Casa Paco team.

It was an ideal way to celebrate Catalonia’s latest honour, World Region of Gastronomy 2025.

Catalonia is the first European region to receive the distinction. According to the tourist board, “this recognition confirms the strengthening of an innovative and regenerative tourism model, where Catalonia’s gastronomic revolution has expanded beyond restaurants to open doors to the discovery of the region and its unique local agro-food production.”

The award has been a long time in the making, ever since an international jury visited various food and tourism-related experiences in May 2023, to assess the potential of Catalonia’s candidacy.

The verdict? “The jury noted that few regions could rival Catalonia, citing its exceptional cuisine, where the fusion of flavours and the exceptional quality of local products create a unique experience. The landscapes were also highlighted as a testament to the region’s commitment to quality, sustainability, tradition and innovation.”

Catalonia’s 2025 celebrations will include an International World Region of Gastronomy Week, which will take place in the main cities and countries with Catalan representation. The events will include markets, pop-up restaurants, wine tasting, cultural evenings, debates, food and wine experiences, and more.

Another highlight of the year will be the celebration of Àpat Catalunya, a popular dinner party held in Barcelona, which will feature the most iconic dishes and recipes of Catalan gastronomy.

Always a favourite when it comes to international travel, Spain has seen its popularity soar post-pandemic, notching high on travel bucket lists and buoyed by word of mouth on social media.

As reported earlier this year, a record 94 million international travellers visited Spain in 2024 in the best year for tourism in the country since records started, according to Spain’s tourism ministry.

Spain ranks as the second most popular destination globally, after France, on the U.N. World Tourism Barometer.

Fittingly for Catalonia’s upcoming 2025 culinary celebrations, while Spain is one of the most popular sun and beach destinations, 32% more travellers said they visited the country in 2024 for cultural reasons, and culinary travel increased by 28% compared to 2019.

More information about travel to Catalonia can be found here.