Gastronomic tourism market

Introduction

Gastronomic tours are taken to discover the unique culinary traditions of a particular nation. At the same time, this objective encompasses more than just trying a unique or exotic dish. It's important to enjoy the local recipe, which has absorbed the locals' cooking culture and traditions over centuries. A tourist can use gastronomic travel as a palette to paint a picture of a country. People's innermost thoughts and feelings can be better understood through food. Gastronomic tourism is a trip across countries and continents to learn about the unique characteristics of the cuisine there and to sample a dish or product that is only available to visitors [1].

Gastronomic tourism, also known as food tourism or culinary tourism, is a type of travel that focuses on experiencing the local food culture of a particular region or country. It involves sampling local cuisine, visiting food-related attractions such as markets, restaurants, and food festivals, and learning about the history and traditions of the local cuisine.

Marketing gastronomic tourism can involve a variety of strategies, such as highlighting the unique aspects of a region's cuisine, showcasing local food producers and restaurants, and emphasizing the cultural and historical significance of the local cuisine. Social media can be a powerful tool for marketing gastronomic tourism, as it allows businesses to share visually appealing images and videos of local cuisine and food-related experiences with a wide audience [2].

Methodology

There are conditions for the growth of culinary tourism in every nation, which is a distinctive aspect of this type of tourism. Also, gastronomic tourism is not a seasonal vacation; you can choose a tour that works for you at any time of year. All tours include some form of culinary tourism to some degree. However, in contrast to other forms of tourism, a gastronomic excursion focuses primarily on getting familiar with the local cuisine. A requisite component of every gastronomic tour is the promotion of local farms and food producers. A rural tour is a type of tour in which tourists spend some time in rural areas to try local cuisine and products made there, as well as to participate in agricultural work. As a result, "green" gastronomic tours include activities like truffle hunting, picking vegetables and fruits on farms, and collecting wild berries in the forest [3]. A trip that includes a stop at the most well-known and popular restaurants is known as a "restaurant tour". These establishments stand out for their high quality, exclusive cuisine, and national orientation. Of the "restaurant" cities, Paris is, without a doubt, the fashion and culinary capital of the world. A tour that focuses on culinary specialization training, courses, and master classes is referred to as an educational tour. An ecological tour is one that takes in farms and industries that are good for the environment as well as organic products and how they are made. France, Germany, England, Switzerland, and the United States are the most popular tourist destinations because of their eco-friendly policies [4]. An event tour is one that focuses on going to the area at a specific time to take part in gastronomic public and cultural events: holidays, fairs, shows, exhibitions, and festivals, for instance, the French melon festival "Cavaillon" in July and the Spanish "Tomatina" in August take place in the city of Bunyol. A trip that includes several of the aforementioned locations is called a combined tour. Combination tours are best for visitors "with experience" who are already familiar with the cuisine of a particular nation; otherwise, the tour may be overloaded with information [5]. An illustration of a consolidated visit in a similar France: Tourists spend the first couple of days eating at Parisian restaurants, then spend another couple of days studying at a culinary school with the best chefs before traveling deep into France to learn about herb cultivation in Provence or cider production in Normandy.

The management of gastronomy tourism can be strengthened in 3 ways:

1. Tourism to the culinary arts is dynamic: Gastronomy tourism, which is an essential component of culture, should not be viewed as a static entity but rather as a living entity that is constantly changing.
2. Make the most of sustainable tourism management's opportunities: Gastronomy tourism is a tool for economic development, cultural preservation, and community empowerment in the local community, all three dimensions of sustainable development.
3. Collaboration and partnership are key: Effective management of gastronomy tourism requires collaboration and partnership between different stakeholders, including local communities, tourism industry, government, and cultural organizations [6].

Results

SWOT analysis of the gastronomic tourism market is as follow:

Strengths:

1. Unique and diverse cuisine: Gastronomic tourism markets typically offer unique and diverse cuisine, with each region or country having their own speciality dishes and culinary traditions.
2. High demand: There is a growing interest in culinary experiences among travelers, leading to a high demand for gastronomic tourism.
3. Revenue generation: Gastronomic tourism can generate significant revenue for the local economy, including restaurants, food producers, and local vendors.

Weaknesses:

1. Seasonal demand: The demand for gastronomic tourism can be seasonal, leading to fluctuations in revenue.
2. Cost: Gastronomic tourism experiences can be expensive, limiting accessibility for some travelers.
3. Limited appeal: Gastronomic tourism may not appeal to all travelers, particularly those who do not have a strong interest in food and culinary experiences.

Opportunities:

1. Innovation: Gastronomic tourism can be an opportunity for innovation and creativity in food and hospitality industries.
2. Expansion: Gastronomic tourism can expand into new markets, such as vegan or sustainable cuisine.
3. Collaboration: Collaboration between food producers, chefs, and tourism providers can create unique and memorable gastronomic experiences.

Threats:

1. Competition: Gastronomic tourism markets face competition from other destinations that offer similar culinary experiences.
2. Economic downturn: Economic downturns can reduce disposable income and decrease demand for gastronomic tourism experiences.
3. Climate change: Climate change can impact the availability and quality of local food ingredients, leading to a decrease in the quality of gastronomic experiences.

Food tourism can also play an important role in promoting local economies and preserving culinary traditions. By showcasing local foods and beverages, food tourism can help to support small businesses and promote sustainable food production practices [7].

Conclusion

Overall, gastronomic tourism is an exciting and rapidly growing form of travel that offers visitors a chance to learn about local cuisine, culture, and traditions. While there are theoretical questions surrounding its impact, gastronomic tourism has the potential to promote the preservation and celebration of local culinary traditions and support local economies.

Gastronomic tourism has emerged as a significant market segment within the global tourism industry, driven by the growing interest of travelers in unique culinary experiences. The market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, and it is expected to continue its upward trajectory in the coming years [8]. 

The gastronomic tourism market is highly diversified, offering a range of experiences, from street food to fine dining. The market is also highly fragmented, with a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises offering unique culinary experiences. Several factors are driving the growth of the gastronomic tourism market, including the increasing popularity of food-based TV shows and social media platforms, the growing interest in health and wellness, and the increasing disposable income of the middle-class population.

Despite the challenges, the gastronomic tourism market offers immense potential for growth and development. The market presents a unique opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises to showcase their culinary heritage and attract a global audience. With the right strategies, the gastronomic tourism market can contribute significantly to the economic development of the regions and countries involved.