Culinary Tourism: Importance, Benefits, and Cultural Connections

This essay explores the rising hospitality industry, particularly the growth of the food and beverage sector, and defines culture and tourism. It examines culinary tourism, its definition by the World Food Travel Association (WFTA), and its historical context, linking it to cultural tourism. The essay highlights the inter-connectedness of tourism, hospitality, and food sectors, emphasizing the cultural aspects and economic benefits, especially for the UK. It discusses the positive impacts of tourism on resource supply, local businesses, and the protection of natural habitats. The essay also addresses the benefits of culinary tourism, such as preserving cultural identity, promoting tourism destinations, and enhancing the quality of life for both tourists and residents. It concludes by acknowledging the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry, including travel restrictions and economic losses, highlighting the need for adaptation and recovery strategies.

Essay

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
Critically discuss what culinary tourism is and how it links to cultural tourism, why it is
important and its holistic benefits....................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................10
Books & Journal:...........................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
The hospitality industry is rising with rise of competition in market. With rise of market
and customers demand, foods & beverages industry are specifically growing at higher scale. A
culture is defined as values, shared beliefs, and social behaviour of individuals reflecting society or
community. Tourism is defined activities of people moving from one place to another for both
personal & professional use (Amerta, 2018). In this industry, culture, values, are often considered
as important part because hotels, restaurants provides, these services after analysing the
geographical social variables. The development of tourism is widening & which is giving rise to
more opportunities. Both these expand the economy status of country at larger level. Main aim of
this essay is to understand the tourism sector how it impacts upon industry & provide benefits. This
report comprises of history of culinary tourism & its link to cultural tourism with holistic benefits.
Critically discuss what culinary tourism is and how it links to cultural tourism, why it is important
and its holistic benefits
The tourism sector is wider and broader and is developing at rapid scale with new areas.
Traditional & modern foods both are being focused by customers at all aspects. In U.K & Britain
most of revenues and profit is generated through hospitality, foods & tourism industry. These all
three sectors are inter- linked with each other because they focuses on customers & provide them
quality of services to fulfil their needs & demands. The culture of every country is different from
each other and accordingly services are provided by market. The tourism industry is responsible for
, attracting more customers, tourists for attraction and this leads to profitable for hospitality
industry as they are able to provide foods services to them at wider scale. Culinary tourism- It is
defined as tourism in which food is being explored with authentic cuisine by experiencing the
traditional foods & living in a place where food is present. This kind of tourism is often considered
to be more expensive than experiencing normal foods places. WFTA which is also known as World
Food Travel Association has defined as culinary tourism as unique of experiencing the food places.
According to WFTA, most of culinary tourists prefer or say take interest in local food culture to
access the unique experience (Duralia, 2017). For example- in Europe, culinary tourism are like
cooking with locals, food & drink tour trails, eating at local homes, street foods, visiting to farm
orchards, markets, fairs etc. History of culinary tourism is being a major study which depicts how
it changes and originated from earliest times of tourism sector. Traditionally, a cuisine reflects the
country they originated from. When visiting to country or locations, the tourists often has a mindset
of getting a taste of local foods, drinks, beverages etc. While selecting this tourism planning is
being made by visitors in which they first decide to choose country & then chooses the sub
destination where they can find traditional foods at various places. The range of foods, drinks is

wider globally such as British fish n chips are typically to isle's charm. It is analysed that this
tourism comprises of sharing of eating habits of several types of cultures, races etc. which nurture
the sort of global visiting or exploration. Many people are often have a curiosity or say urge of
eating sampling of cuisine. The history depicts that cuisine & wine are being considered as major
attractions for people. In reference to this, planning to this tourism is difficult when main is to try
alien dish. Enthusiasm of visitors place makes it difficult to do planning properly for visitors.
Moreover while visiting to traditional food places, tourists took safety measures of their health so
that they does not get affected by external situations. Budget of this is mostly cost expensive
because it took time to search a place, local foods, which is create expenditure for individual.
Cuisine of every country is being focused by individual because they find appropriate level of taste,
exploration of foods which increase their enthusiasms level at higher pace. It depends upon a
tourists which type of culinary they prefer mostly (Elbaz, 2017). Culinary tourism represents an
emerging element of tourism industry & encompasses all the traditional values associated with the
new trends in tourism: respect for culture and tradition, authenticity and sustainability. By statistics
of Europe food culture, it is being stated that tourist spend huge amount or say over a fourth of
their tourism budget on foods, drinks etc. This is also analysed that European often are focused
about their health & safety measures accordingly they visit to food places. Culinary tourism is
linked to cultural tourism because they both carry out their activities by focusing on cultures.
Cultural tourisms are those which are concerned with tourists engaged with region's culture.
Whereas culinary tourisms tourists are concerned with engaging with visiting foods & beverages
places to explore their traditional style. Yes, they both are inter- linked with each other as because
they focuses on tradition of cultures, foods & lifestyle. In tourism sector, it is necessary to focus on
country or customers culture so that places are visited by tourists accordingly. Further, it is also
stated that in United Kingdom. Culture play important role in developing relationship, accessing
new opportunities, places, value at broader scale. Also, the tourism sector generates revenue of 106
billion to British economy & provide 2.6 million jobs across the country. This is the reason why
these both are important to adapt so that profitability and economy gets developed at rapid scale.
Impact of tourism on country is being wider & is widening the scope of sector which is beneficial
for U.K. Overall growth. The tourism industry has positive impact on supplying of resources,
foods, beverages etc. as demands of these enhances at rapid scale. Then, another positive effect is
that it prices of local shops increases at higher level as more tourists visits to shops, market &
which results in rise in business of SME'S (Hribar, 2017). Also, further effect is more profit &
money is generated when tourism sector rises & that money can be used for protection of natural
habitat. Moreover, in viewpoint of Europe, due to large combined natural as well as attractiveness
they are focusing & developing more market of foods, local streets foods & beverages. Further, by

linking culinary to cultural tourism, they are able to attract more visitors, tourists to visit their
culture, region & explore a new sort of experience widely. These are essential for the
developmental of overall GDP of a country which are based for future achieving of tourism goals at
all aspects (Movahed, 2020).
The tourism culture has deep impact upon economy as because they assists in strengthening
the local business economies, help in protecting natural & cultural resources, improving of quality
life of both tourists as well as residents. U.K has diversified form of culture or say it has combined
nations history. The main benefits of tourism culture is that it create awareness about the sector at
wider scale which is beneficial for future growth. At international level, UK is able to access the
competitive benefit within the tourism & cultural industries. For example- the heritage area is
being the major tourists destination for British market for foreign visitors. It is analysed that this
sector is important for development & improvement so that the value of culture is being understood
effectively. According to WFTA, the tourism sector provides more profits, revenues, sales, tax
revenue as well a pride to the country's community. This is too examined that it is important to be
aware about these tourisms sector so that everything culture is recognised & experienced by all
tourists specifically (Malchrowicz-Mosko, 2018). It is examined the local visit sites in country is
considered as major attraction for tourists like The Historic New Orleans collection,
The above displayed picture stated that heritage is sec tor provide more jobs and new
opportunities to people & country to achieve development. So, from picture it is evaluated that
natural heritage are most accessed or visited by tourists. In U.K, most of the places are well known
for their tourism factor only. By visiting mostly to heritage sectors, they are able to increase their
level of interactions & wide the scope of industry at global level. Main rationale for most visiting of
natural heritage sector is that they attract foreign visitors easily because of their natural beauty.

The given picture states that most UK regions are dominated by tourism industries & are
only well recognised for tourists attractions. Regions like North Yorkshire, Devon, Outer London,
Cumbria etc. are mostly dependent upon the basis of tourists attractions. Tourism has dominant role
in such regions through which they enhances their tourism attractions at larger scale. Due to their
natural heritage sectors, it is easier to access to higher income level. There are several benefits of
culinary tourism which can be identified like first benefit is that by giving importance to
traditional places, foods, drinks, rituals which help in protecting cultural identify, respects
traditional knowledge. Further benefit is that it assist in highlighting the tourists places at global
level as more & more tourists visit to places (Newsome, 2020). Then next one is that Culinary
tourism increases the sector of travellers & tourists guides which is beneficial for both rural & urban
areas development. Another one is that by focusing on this foods and beverages traditional places,
it is easy to receive suggestions or feedback from tourists. Moreover, such tourisms also benefits
the foods & dishes as they enhances their popularity. Further one is that Culinary tourisms enhance
the importance of history, traditions, trends of area etc. which is advantage for a country. Also,
traditional foods are recognised by culinary tourism at broader scale. Next Benefit is Culinary
tourism provides extensible information regarding nutritional foods & beverages to consumers. It
is also advantage of culinary tourism is that it is beneficial for those persons who wish to travel a lot
for exploring foods, places, beverages (Ottenbacher, 2016).
More potentials benefits of Culinary tourism is that it help in accessing & paying attention
to historical, artistic, scientific & lifestyle. Through this benefit, it is easier to increase importance

of country visits & heritage resources. Then, by accessing to culinary tourism it also provides
chance of experiencing positive environment like visual, & performing arts, traditions & unique
type of events. Another advantage provided by this tourism is that it enhances popularity level of
urban areas, communities, and activities like theatres, museums etc. This is stated that this tourism
enhances the substantially more comparing it to cultural communities. As, it is globally rising
more countries are improving their status of tourism industry so that their heritage sector get
increased. It has become important for countries nowadays to pay focus on their tourism industries
so that they able to improve their status of economy at higher scale. Due to this ongoing pandemic
situation of COVID 19, the industry is facing issues and losses because people prefer more to stay
at home. Effect of COVID 19 has changed the overall industry level which has also impacted
negatively on tourism industry. Travel and tourism is among most affected sectors with airplanes
industries, hotels closed, travel restrictions put in place in virtually all countries around the world.
In an unprecedented blow to the tourism sector, the COVID-19 pandemic has cut international
tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2020 to a fraction of what they were a year ago (Sava, 2019).
The nature of the tourism system means that tourism has both contributed to spread of disease and
experienced the repercussions of the disease along all parts of the tourism value and supply chains.
The disease’s global reach and the application of classic disease controls in the form of quarantine,
reduced mobility and isolation have had a dramatic effect on international and domestic tourism
alike along with a range of sector specific impacts, including transport, travel and booking agencies,
hospitality, restaurants, conventions and events, and attractions. Tourism is a significant part of
many national economies, and the immediate and immense shock to the tourism sector resulting
from the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the wider economy. As governments across world have
introduced many measures to contain virus, restrictions on travel, business operations and people-
to-people interactions have brought the tourism economy to a standstill. Many countries are now
entering a new aspects in fighting virus while at same time managing re-opening of tourism
economy. This is a complex & challenging task, as well as quantifying impact on tourism economy
is difficult. Travel restrictions & containment measures are likely to be in place for longer, and are
expected to be lifted only gradually, with the possibility of reversal should new waves occur. Even
when tourism supply chains start to function again, new health protocols mean businesses will be
operating at restricted capacity (Sigala, 2020).
Further, it is stated effect of culinary tourism over economy of a country is wider and
broader. It is essential to promote this tourism so that traditional places does attracted by visitors. As
it is linked with cultural tourism, more new culture/ food places are explored by tourists at larger
scale. Due to this pandemic situation, it is has become difficult for this industry to enhance their
business at global level.

Picture showing effect of COVID 19 on tourism industry
From the displayed picture, it shows that effect of COVID 19 on both domestic &
international tourism at future period. BY analysing the data, it is seen that domestic culinary
tourism is being expected to receive most faster than international tourism market. The leisure
travel & tourism is needed to be affected at deeper level. By 2021, both these domestic &
international market will recover from COVID 19 (Stauvermann, 2017).The culinary & cultural
tourism are most important & major part of country which needs to be consistently carried out in an
effective manner. The U.K. Government are being focused & taking major steps to improve there
tourism industries so that visitors are able to visits to cultural with proper safety measures. The
impact of culinary tourism has widen the scope of hospitality industries through which they are able
to provide services to tourists in proper manner. The impact of this pandemic situation has
disrupted the environment and business of leisure & tourism sector. Benefits of both cultural &
culinary tourism are of many types like they both provide a revenue generation to specific country
which is helpful fort achieving the growth & development. Then also they provide an opportunity
to people to engage with other so that it will be easy to understand different culture's. Another
advantage is that they provide jobs & reduce unemployment rate at deeper scale (Amerta, 2018).
Moreover, it too expand the business of small organisation & provide importance to local resources.
Also, these tourism help in building up with local communities which assists in development of

overall market of industry.
Both of these tourisms are important because they help in ample number of benefits to
economy such as social benefits, environmental benefits and economy advantages. This is stated
that by accessing to these, more new development areas are explored properly. Main comparison
between these two are that cultural tourism are focused towards visitors moving from one place to
other with aim of exploring new culture whereas culinary tourism focuses on movement of visitors
with purpose of exploring the food places & heritage sites (Elbaz, 2017). It is important to be focus
on these so that resources a both side are use inmost efficient manner. By reflecting to their history,
industry of this sector has changed at global scale (Duralia, 2017). With changing period of time, it
access to these both by foreign tourist is increasing widely. They are mostly beneficial to local
resources, tourists guides, and small businesses. This also leads to expansion of both market &
business at wider area.

CONCLUSION
After a brief analysis of above essay, it has been concluded that industry of hospitality &
tourism has broader concept. It is essential to focus upon such cultures & different tourism sector
so that knowledge & information is gained regarding all types of tourism area in proper manner.
So, this essay depicts culinary tourism & its importance. Then, its link to cultural tourism as well as
benefits provided by same. Thus it is examined that appropriate by accessing to correct places, right
locations, new opportunities in market is accessed easily. Moreover, it is stated that by increasing
the tourism knowledge, it is easy to experience most attracted & popular attractions. This is
examined that it is essential for countries to keep their traditional places & foods highlighted with
aim to enhance their visitors attractions.

REFERENCES
Books & Journal:
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and social sciences,5(2), pp.248-254.
Duralia, 2017. Culinary Tourism. A New Trend on the Tourism Market.Expert Journal of
Marketing,5(2).
Elbaz, 2017. The role of wisdom leadership in increasing job performance: Evidence from the
Egyptian tourism sector.Tourism management,63, pp.66-76.
Hribar, 2017. Participatory research in community development: a case study of creating cultural
tourism products.AUC Geographica,52(2), pp.164-175.
Malchrowicz-Mosko, E. and Munsters, W., 2018. Sport tourism: a growth market considered from a
cultural perspective.Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology,18(4),
pp.25-38.
Movahed, 2020. An Analysis of the Culinary Tourism Experience between Gender Groups in
Iran.Quaestiones Geographicae,39(1), pp.99-108.
Newsome, 2020. The collapse of tourism and its impact on wildlife tourism destinations.Journal of
Tourism Futures.
Ottenbacher, 2016. Should culinary tourism and hospitality service attributes be defined as primary
tourism drivers? An expectancy-fulfillment grid approach. Journal of Foodservice Business
Research,19(5), pp.425-440.
Sava, 2019. Culinary tourism-a reality of our days. Quaestus, (14), pp.269-278.
Sigala, 2020. Tourism and COVID-19: impacts and implications for advancing and resetting
industry and research.Journal of Business Research.
Stauvermann, 2017. Productivity growth and income in the tourism sector: Role of tourism demand
and human capital investment.Tourism Management,61, pp.426-433.