Lucknow, October 31 (IANS). Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has reached new heights of global recognition. The capital Lucknow has been declared ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’ by UNESCO. This honor goes to the city that inspires the world with its food tradition, cultural diversity and innovation. This announcement was made on the occasion of ‘World Cities Day’ at the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said that Uttar Pradesh today has become the pride of the country under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This achievement of Lucknow is the global acceptance of its rich food and culture. He said that this recognition received by Lucknow’s gastronomy is a testament to the growing strength of the tourism sector and the realization of the vision of ‘Developed Uttar Pradesh’. He informed that the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department sent the nomination for Lucknow to the Union Ministry of Culture on January 31, 2025. After detailed review, the Government of India submitted the final dossier to UNESCO on March 3, 2025. Lucknow was formally included in the ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’ network at the conference held on October 31. Tourism and Culture Principal Secretary Amrit Abhijat said that now 70 cities from all over the world have been included in this UNESCO list. This year, eight new cities found a place in this network. He said that this choice of Lucknow is going to give a new identity to its culinary tradition and culinary heritage on the global stage. He said that in the year 2024, 82.74 lakh tourists came to Lucknow, while in the first six months of 2025 alone, 70.20 lakh tourists arrived. This trend shows that food and culture has become the main base of tourism growth in Uttar Pradesh. Special Secretary Tourism Isha Priya said that Lucknow has now joined the category of select cities of the world making food a medium of cultural dialogue and sustainable development. In the coming times, the Tourism Department will take many new initiatives to further strengthen this global identity. This feat of Lucknow is a living proof of its Awadhi cuisine, Nawabi tradition and diversity of food. Now from Tunde Kababi to Kulcha-Nihari, the flavors of Lucknow will further elevate the identity of the state on the world map. –IANS DKP/ Share this story Tags