The Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is launching a Global Dining Passport promotion to encourage locals to follow their appetites to locally-owned international cuisine and black-owned restaurants.

The Global Dining Passport promotion is strategically timed to provide a local dining experience to satisfy international appetites as a substitute for the loss of this year’s Global Village at Arts in the Heart.

The Global Village, held annually at the September Arts in the Hearts Festival, features food from more than 20 countries. COVID-19 caused the cancellation of Arts in the Heart this year, eliminating one of the favorite food experiences for locals and visitors. 

To replace that experience and support Augusta’s cultural communities, the Augusta CVB partnered with the Greater Augusta Arts Council to identify local restaurants offering global and authentic cultural dining experiences and who may have participated in the Global Village in the past. 

The Global Dining Passport promotion identifies more than 45 locally-owned restaurants, primarily grouping them by areas of the globe. Plans are in place to promote it extensively on social media via Visit Augusta and Augusta & Co. accounts. In addition, diners will be encouraged to enter a contest by submitting a receipt for one entrée from a participating restaurant which will enter them to win one of two grand prizes worth more than $250 in restaurant gift certificates. The month-long promotion and contest will run September 24 – October 24.

Printed Global Passports may be picked up at Augusta & Co. (1010 Broad Street) and used to inform and remind diners of their international choices in Augusta. The printed passports will continue to be available after the contest at Augusta & Co. to make visitors aware of Augusta’s rich and authentic culinary choices. 

“The Global Dining Passport promotion is an excellent way to feature our locally-owned restaurants offering authentic cuisine. It reminds our locals of the great tastes and flavors of the Global Village at Arts in the Heart, and can truly offer support to some of our neighborhood restaurants,” said Bennish Brown, President & CEO, Augusta CVB. 

Diners may find more information at visitaugusta.com/food-drink/international-dining. 

Find us at Visit Augusta and Augusta & Co. on Instagram and Facebook.