The Cap Bon region in northeastern Tunisia has been officially nominated as a candidate for the World Region of Gastronomy 2028. This announcement was made during the 12th General Assembly and the 36th Advisory Forum of the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) on June 18, 2025.
This marks a historic step for Africa and the MENA region, with Cap Bon becoming the first African region and the second in the MENA region to join the World Regions of Gastronomy Platform. Cap Bon is celebrated for its unique culinary traditions, rich agricultural landscape, and vibrant cultural heritage.
The region is famous for citrus cultivation, including oranges and lemons, and for producing harissa, a condiment made from crushed red peppers. The nomination of Cap Bon aligns with the "Tunisia's Culinary Route" initiative, launched in 2022 by the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism.
This initiative aims to promote Tunisian culinary heritage as a sustainable tourism experience, highlighting key products from each region. These include cheeses from the Northwest, harissa from Cap Bon, wines from the North, olives from the Center and Dahar, dates from the Southwest, and octopus from Kerkennah.
As a candidate, Cap Bon looks forward to collaborating with other winning or candidate regions worldwide. This collaboration will promote sustainable food practices, strengthen local economies, and preserve culinary identities through innovation, education, and responsible tourism. This recognition highlights Cap Bon's commitment to cultural resilience and the valorization of its regional heritage, positioning the region as a pioneer in Africa for sustainable gastronomic development.