Madrid will be hosting the 1st European Congress on Tourism and Gastronomy, organized by the Spanish Institute of Tourism (Turespana) and the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy.

The event will bring together experts from the 27 EU Member States to analyze the food tourism phenomenon from the perspective of offer and demand, identify problems, put forward solutions, and detect opportunities and is held from the 24-26 April 2010.

The staging of this congress in Madrid forms a part of the Wine and Food Tourism International Promotion Plan, whose aim is to give a boost to the sector and position Spain as a food tourism destination the world over.

With nearly 3,000 restaurants - eight of which having Michelin stars - including traditional eateries with a long history and tapas bars, Madrid is among the top food tourism destinations in the world.

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