European Wine City 2026 is renowned for its slow tourism philosophy and the quality of wines
Following the 1st GWTO-OMET Global Summit on Responsible Enotourism held in Punta del Este (Uruguay) in 2024, and the 2nd Global Summit hosted in Yantai (China) in 2025, the Organizing Committees of the Global Wine Tourism Organization GWTO (Organización Mundial del EnoTurismo OMET) and the Regional Tourism Board of Alentejo are co-organizing the 3rd GWTO-OMET Global Summit, focused on Responsible Wine & Gastronomy Tourism. The event will take place in the municipality of Beja (Portugal), European Wine City 2026, renowned for its slow tourism philosophy and the quality of its wines and gastronomy.
Alentejo is a vast and predominantly rural region. The beauty of its landscapes and the richness of its archaeological, monumental, and architectural heritage, together with its outstanding gastronomy and wines, undoubtedly invite visitors to discover the region.
“We are very proud to take another step forward in positioning Alentejo as a Enotourism destination committed to a conscious strategy deeply respectful of our territory. In Alentejo, wine is our most representative product: it is history, tradition, and identity” said José Santos, President of Turismo do Alentejo.
The event will bring together professionals from academia, the private sector, and public institutions from more than 12 countries.
The GWTO-OMET Global Summits on RSS Enotourism (Responsible towards the environment and local community, Sustainable over time, and Satisfactory for both visitors and residents) provide a unique platform to:
- Establish high-level international networking opportunities and collaborations,
- Promote brands within the exhibition area,
- Close business deals through B2B meetings with international tour operators,
- Present cutting-edge research and best practices in Responsible Wine & Gastronomy Tourism at the Academic Forum, developed by destinations and companies, and
- Discover the Baixo Alentejo Enotourism destination by pairing its wines with local gastronomy.
The international Forum will address topics through presentations and panel discussions such as: RSS Enotourism Practices (destinations and establishments), Cutting-edge Technology, RSS Enotourism MICE, Urban Enotourism, Island Enotourism, RSS Enotourism Governance, and Professional Training.
During the Forum, the directory “Who’s Who in Global Wine & Gastronomy Tourism” will be presented, awards will be granted to destinations and establishments, and the host destination for the 2027 GWTO-OMET Global Summit on RSS Enotourism will be announced.
“The Global Summits represent one of the key lines of action within the five pillars of GWTO-OMET’s strategic plan, aimed at supporting the positioning of emerging destinations and strengthening already consolidated ones on the international map of RSS Enotourism” said José Antonio Vidal, Founder and CEO President of GWTO-OMET.
These five pillars are:
- Promotion through the events organization by GWTO-OMET MICE,
- International recognition through the GWTO-OMET Biosphere Certification for RSS Enotourism destinations and establishments,
- Training in Integrated RSS Enotourism Management through GWTO-OMET Academy, in collaboration with local academic institutions,
- Commercialization through the inclusion of Enotourism activities on the global RSS Enotourism booking platform ETC. EnoTourismClub, and
- Monitoring destinations and their Enotourism resources through the GWTO-OMET Economic Observatory / Monitor of Global Enotourism.
Among vineyards, centuries-old olive groves, and vast plains, Alentejo opens the doors of its Wine Culture to visitors through experiences that combine tours, tastings, accommodation, and gastronomy, creating a carefully curate Enotourism offering.
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