Culinary tourism

File:Γιορτή Κρασιού.png, Greece]]

Culinary or food tourism is the pursuit of unique and memorable eating and drinking experiences, both near and far.{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldfoodtravel.org|language=en-US|title=World Food Travel Association|publisher=World Food Travel Association|access-date=October 8, 2017}} Culinary tourism differs from agritourism in that culinary tourism is considered a subset of cultural tourism (cuisine is a manifestation of culture) whereas agritourism is considered a subset of rural tourism,{{cite book | title=Culinary Tourism: The Hidden Harvest | publisher=Kendall/Hunt Publishing | author=Wolf, Erik | year=2006 | isbn=978-0-7575-2677-0}} but culinary tourism and agritourism are inextricably linked, as the seeds of cuisine can be found in agriculture. Culinary/food tourism is not limited to gourmet food.{{cite book | title="Culinary Tourism: The Hidden Harvest" white paper | publisher=World Food Travel Association | author=Wolf, Erik | year=2001 | id= (currently out of print)}} Food tourism can be considered a subcategory of experiential travel.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

While many cities, regions, or countries are known for their food, culinary tourism is not limited by food culture. Every tourist eats about three times a day, making food one of the fundamental economic drivers of tourism. Countries like Ireland, Peru, and Canada are making a significant investment in culinary tourism development and are seeing results with visitor spending and overnight stays rising as a result of food tourism promotion and product development.{{cite book | title=Have Fork Will Travel | publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform | author=Wolf, Erik | year=2014 | isbn=978-1490533995}}

Food tourism includes activities such as taking cooking classes; going on food or drink tours; attending food and beverage festivals;{{Cite news|date=2015-06-17|title=How Culinary Tourism Is Becoming a Growing Trend in Travel|language=en-CA|work=HuffPost Canada|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/parmjit-parmar/the-rise-of-culinary-tourism_b_7596704.html|access-date=2018-08-15}} participating in specialty dining experiences; shopping at specialty retail spaces; and visiting farms, markets, and producers.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

The World Food Travel Association estimates that food and beverage expenses account for 15% to 35% of all tourism spending, depending on the affordability of the destination.{{Cite web|title=What Is Food Tourism?|url=https://worldfoodtravel.org/what-is-food-tourism/|url-status=live|access-date=October 8, 2017|publisher=World Food Travel Association|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128224236/http://www.worldfoodtravel.org:80/what-is-food-tourism/ |archive-date=2014-01-28 }} The WFTA lists possible food tourism benefits as including more visitors, more sales, more media attention, increased tax revenue, and greater community pride.

A growing area of culinary tourism is cooking classes. The formats vary from a short lesson lasting a few hours to full-day and multi-day courses. The focus for foreign tourists will usually be on the cuisine of the country they are visiting, whereas local tourists may be keen to experience cuisines new to them. Many cooking classes also include market tours to enhance the cultural experience.{{Cite news|title=A Cooking Vacation|work=The Tribune India|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/a-cooking-vacation-21012}} Some cooking classes are held in local people's homes, allowing foreign tourists to catch a glimpse of what daily life and cuisine look like for those in the country they're visiting. Both the local hosts and foreign guests benefit from the cross-cultural experience.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

File:Home dinner - Bali.jpg, Indonesia (2016), made as part of a food tour]]

File:1104 Pasztecik Szczeciński Bar.jpg serving dough named pasztecik szczeciński in the center of Szczecin (Poland), a popular destination for tourists visiting the city. Pasztecik szczeciński is one of traditional dishes of the Western Pomerania.]]

Food tours vary by locale and by operator. They are common in major cities such as London,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4245534.stm |title=A taste for gastro-tourism |last=Lane |first=Megan |date=September 16, 2005 |website=BBC News }} Paris,{{cite web|url=http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/discover-the-paris-food-scene-like-a-true-parisian/|title=Discover the Paris food scene like a true Parisian |publisher=deliciousmagazine.co.uk|date=2015-09-10 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/16/travel/in-paris-8-new-tours-from-art-to-shopping.html|title=In Paris, 8 New Tours, From Art to Shopping|work=The New York Times|date=October 16, 2016}} Rome,{{cite news|last=Berger|first=Sarah|date=April 26, 2018|title=These are the top food experiences in the world, according to TripAdvisor|newspaper=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/26/the-top-food-experiences-in-the-world-according-to-tripadvisor.html}} Florence, Toronto,{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/annabel/2017/03/13/eat-the-world-9-best-food-tours/#270abe6e7190 |title=Eat the World: 9 Best Food Tours |last=Abel |first=Ann |date=March 13, 2017 |website=Forbes }} See also Culinary Adventure Co. Kuala Lumpur,{{cite web |url=http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/1854373/six-ways-enjoy-kuala-lumpur-whatever-your-budget |title=Six Ways to Enjoy Kuala Lumpur |date=September 2, 2015 |website=South China Morning Post }} and Barcelona.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2015/08/18/432762436/food-tours-help-keep-barcelonas-mom-and-pop-tapas-bars-alive |title=Food Tours Help Keep Barcelona's Mom-And-Pop Tapas Bars Alive |last=Frayer |first=Lauren |date=August 18, 2015 |website=NPR }}

June 10, 2017, was the first annual National Food Tour Day, celebrating food tourism around the world.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nationalfoodtourday.com/ |title=National Food Tour Day |access-date=2017-10-14 |archive-date=2018-11-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122055537/https://www.nationalfoodtourday.com/ |url-status=dead }} The World Food Travel Association introduced World Food Travel Day on April 18, 2018,{{Cite web|title=World Food Travel Day|url=https://worldfoodtravel.org/world-food-travel-day-april-18/|url-status=live|website=World Food Travel Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422195141/https://worldfoodtravel.org/world-food-travel-day-april-18/ |archive-date=2020-04-22 }} as a way to put the spotlight on how and why we travel to experience the world's culinary cultures. It is designed to bring awareness to both consumers and trade, and support the Association's mission – to preserve and promote culinary cultures through hospitality and tourism. The day is celebrated all around the world every year on April 18.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

Food tourism{{cite web | url=https://bestevertake.com/what-is-food-travel-the-definitive-guide/ | title=Food Travel😋: Best Definitive Guide of 2023 | date=February 2023 }} offers a multitude of benefits for travelers, including:

1. Opportunities to try unique and authentic dishes
2. Immersion into local or street food culture
3. History and Traditions Behind the Food We Eat
4. Supporting local economies by patronizing small businesses and food markets

• Cooking school
• Foodie
• Gourmet
• Gastronomy

{{Reflist}}

• {{wikivoyage-inline|Food tours}}
• [https://www.worldfoodtravel.org World Food Travel Association]

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Category:Food and drink appreciation

Category:Types of tourism