Who does not need food and does not enjoy various delicious foods? In addition to being one of the human needs, food has become a tourist attraction today. Every country has its own special and unique foods and drinks. Cooking methods even change from city to city. Cooking competitions and events all over the world have made Culinary tourism the world industry of entertainment.
In addition to common foods that exist among countries, local food is automatically mentioned as a cultural phenomenon. By holding competitions, events, and Culinary tourism tours, food tourists and food tourists have been able to show the place and importance of food in the world more than it was until Culinary tourism became a field of study in universities like Cordon Bleu in France.
What are we looking for in a Culinary tourism experience?
Let’s experience all kinds of cooking methods: There are so many different and attractive ways of cooking and preparing food that even if you are not very fond of eating and eating too much, you will enjoy seeing how it is cooked. Many people watch food channels to watch different cooking methods. Even many groups study them.
Watching food being cooked is now so enjoyable in any way that we have examples of it in everyday speech. For example, you have heard many people say that they are fed up with the smell of food while cooking. They enjoy cooking so much that they don’t feel hungry and need to eat anymore, except that we have something called “handmade” in all cultures. Hand cooking is the magic of cooking and combining ingredients, In addition to the techniques people use in their cooking, which is usually shared between categories.
Immerse yourself in culture and history with local food
The word local food reminds you of local Iranian food. Suppose every part of the world that forms the environment of a city or a country can have its local dishes. We are always curious about the foods we have yet to eat and the flavors we have yet to taste. For this reason, a large part of the tourists’ trip is dedicated to tasting the special foods of the region they have visited. Usually, behind every traditional food, there is a story or a story that gives it a special charm. People feel they are reliving that memory or experience while eating that food. Some local foods are so old that one feels like traveling in history by eating them, as in many cities or countries, a region is known because of the fame of a particular food.
Communication with culture
Communication with culture is another reason that shapes the culture of Culinary tourism worldwide. As we mentioned above, tourists try to communicate with their culture and history by eating the foods of a region. The result of this communication forms a cultural connection. Like when you go to someone’s house, An unknown person, and eat his food. Hosts always like to be praised for their food. That’s why when you travel to a region where most of the foods are unknown and belong to a unique history or occasion when you eat those foods and a positive response, a good feeling is formed in the people of that region. In other words, you bring cultures together by tasting and enjoying their food.
street food; A phenomenon in Culinary tourism in the world
Along with table culture for us Iranians, for food tourists, there is a phenomenon called street food. Most people who travel for food are interested in testing and tasting street food. A place where a fantasy accompanies dining. In a way, people are in a deconstruction where they don’t have to eat at home or in restaurants or cafes. This street food culture has been formed in almost every country, from local foods to instant foods or foods related to the season or special occasion.
The raw materials for cooking are different in different countries
The agricultural method and the climate of each region in the world will cause the variety of raw materials and every detail that will cook different dishes, in addition to the fact that in most religious countries, with any minority, Islam or other religions, eating some things is known as haram or makruh. Of course, religion is not always involved in this factor. Sometimes people in a certain region or environment make it a culture to eat or not eat something.
The main motive of Culinary tourism is to experience diversity. People want to try things that do not grow in their country or exist but are forbidden to eat in other countries, In addition to tasting different drinks prepared with different extracts.
What is the current trend in the culinary tourism market in the world?
People travel more to try local cuisine, as food tourists seek authentic experiences to help connect with cultures. Local organic products usually attract the attention of food tourists more than all other food materials. Learning about food and culture is important to travelers, so tour operators that combine food with culture have an edge over the competition. Gastronomic events have become significantly popular in recent years, creating good economic grounds in the tourism industry.
Who is Culinary tourism?
A food tourist, a culinary tourist who plans his destination with local cuisine in mind. Someone who wants to immerse himself in the culture of a region or country by tasting local food. According to his taste, the tourist can choose the desired country. He knows the different foods and the food spectrum of the region and goes on a trip with prior knowledge and the purpose of tasting the foods he specified. He may also bring good luck in the middle of the trip and taste foods that he has never eaten before. Naturally, all those who travel and taste the food of different countries and regions while traveling are considered small tourists. Of course, professional tourists travel to the extremes of the world to get to know the food.
Which countries are the most popular Culinary tourism destinations in the world?
The Philippines, Australia, and South Africa have incredible food and have become the busiest tourist destinations for Culinary tourism. It must be interesting to know that in 2015, 2 million locals and tourists visited the Philippines for the Pahiya Festival. Also, the port of Lima in South America, Mexico City, Mumbai, and Havana are among the stations where you can travel.
conclusion
Despite the media, the Culinary tourism industry in the world is expected to reach 1796.5 billion dollars by 2027, which shows the importance of Culinary tourism on the economy. It is also interesting to note that 70% of people spend more money on food abroad than at home. In traveling, more than what is spent on accommodation or other entertainment, about 30% is allocated to food.
Culinary tourism will impact the cultural tourism industry and a region’s economy more than we think. The policy of many countries in the past years to attract tourists has been for this purpose. The Culinary tourism market will not slow down. This need will be at least now, but it is always more demanding. Appetite never ends.
Global Report on Culinary Tourism in the World Volume 4 of the series of in-depth reports by UNWTO Associate Members examines the links between tourism and food. For many of the world’s billions of tourists, whether returning to familiar destinations to enjoy tried-and-true recipes or traveling further afield in search of new and special dishes, gastronomy has become a central part of the tourism experience.
