From 22–25 January 2026, Songkhla Province organized a study visit to Chiang Mai to explore cultural gastronomy tourism management and creative city development. The initiative aimed to enhance knowledge, exchange experiences, and identify practical approaches for advancing Songkhla’s development as a globally connected Creative City of Gastronomy.
The study visit forms part of Songkhla’s ongoing efforts to strengthen human resources and stakeholder networks under the Songkhla Creative City of Gastronomy framework. Participants were given the opportunity to learn from Chiang Mai’s experience as a UNESCO Creative City, where cultural heritage, local identity, and creativity have been successfully integrated into urban development strategies.
Throughout the program, delegates visited key learning sites across Chiang Mai, gaining insights into gastronomy culture, creative tourism, contemporary creative spaces, and cultural economy initiatives that connect local communities with sustainable tourism development.
Key activities included exploring creative city governance models, exchanging knowledge on food culture and creative economy development, learning about the management of cultural and creative spaces, and studying gastronomy tourism routes that transform local identity into meaningful visitor experiences.
The study visit also provided an important platform for building partnerships among government agencies, academic institutions, private-sector organizations, and community groups. These exchanges fostered collaboration and shared learning on how gastronomy, culture, and creativity can contribute to sustainable urban and regional development.
The experience reflects Songkhla’s commitment to leveraging its rich cultural heritage, culinary traditions, and local wisdom to create new economic, social, and tourism opportunities. By strengthening its gastronomy ecosystem, Songkhla aims to generate inclusive growth while preserving the unique identity of the City of Two Seas.
Looking ahead, Songkhla will continue expanding cooperation with creative city networks in Thailand and abroad to advance its vision of “Songkhla Gastronomy for Health and Wellbeing.” Through strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange, the province seeks to further establish itself as an internationally recognized gastronomy destination and a leading example of sustainable development through food and culture.
