BANGKOK, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The 4th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Forum on Gastronomy Tourism kicked off here in Bangkok on Thursday, attracting a record 475 delegates from 52 countries and regions.

The conference, held in Asia for its first time, runs till June 1. Dozens of Thai restaurateurs, chefs, food and beverage executives and hoteliers attended the forum.

The forum brings a chance to update the participants on new techniques and technologies in preparing, marketing and managing the strong linkage between tourism and gastronomy.

Organized by the UN World Tourism Organization and Basque Culinary Centre, the conference is focussed on raising awareness both nationally and regionally about the significance and role of gastronomy tourism as a key towards the development of sustainable tourism in the region.

Speakers from China's Macao, Japan, Indonesia and the Basque region of Spain discussed the current situation in their regions and the global outlook for gastronomy tourism as well as how the public and private sector can establish successful partnerships.

The conference has also examined how countries can relate their gastronomy tourism strategies to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nation's 2030 Agenda.