Do you know what gastronomic tourism is? I’ve been hearing a lot about it and people are absolutely in love with it. It’s a new way to try new food and learn about the local cuisines. But is it worth it?
Popular American writer and humorist Mark Twain once said, “Part of the secret of a success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.” And gastronomic tourism is something that your body is going to enjoy.
In this article, I’ll tell you about gastronomic tourism as a new and modern way of traveling. So, be ready for a peaceful and flavourful journey!
What is Gastronomic Tourism?
In simple terms, gastronomic tourism is all about traveling to different places and exploring unique food and drinks. It’s like you learn about a place’s ethnic makeup from the flavors that they have to offer.
It’s preferred by food critics and people who always look for new experiences. This isn’t a luxury or anything as you try the local cuisine and dishes. It is quite trending these days because of the unique experience.
You might not realize it, but from different cuisines, you can learn about the history of any place, and feel closer to its culture. It calms your soul and fills your tummy with a variety of delicious items.
Is there any difference between Gastronomic and Culinary Tourism
Many might get confused and think that gastronomic and culinary tourism are the same thing. However, there’s a significant difference. Culinary experience focuses on the preparation that how something is made.
It tells you about different recipes and engages in workshops where you can do several activities with a professional chef. As for gastronomic tourism, it is more into exploration and going out.
Learn about what you eat, what’s the story behind it, and what importance it holds is what this experience is all about. While the main theme in both is food, gastronomy is broader in comparison to the culinary experience.
You can take a look at the global culinary market in the infographic below.
Sustainable Food Experience for Travelers
The beauty of gastronomic tourism is that you go and support the local communities and respect its environment. Did you know that you can reduce your carbon footprint this way?
Travelers can go for options like farm-to-table restaurants, visit organic farms, and eat local traditional food. This way your carbon footprints are reduced along you are contributing to the preservation of traditional cooking and farming methods.
This sustainable approach result in getting the fresh and most organic ingredients that your taste buds are going to enjoy a lot. It’s like a reward that you get for contributing to the economic well-being of locals.
A Global Fest For Senses
We have five sense organs, including eyes, nose, ears, tongue, and skin. Gastronomic tourism is a heavenly paradise for all of our senses, but how? Well, let me break it down for you:
- Eyes (Vision): With your eyes, you see all the colors that a dish has and how comforting and delicious it looks.
- Nose (Smell): Now you can smell all the aromas that are present in the food with the help of it you can tell what it tastes like.
- Skin (Touch): If you are using your hands you can feel all the texture how soft, hard, or squishy something is.
- Tongue (Taste): The real deal, your taste buds give you a description of the food as you eat it, and it’s the best feeling because your taste buds are also enjoying every second of it.
- Ear (Sound): As you bite into something you get the sound which can be satisfying.
Gastronomic tourism is like a fest that all your senses enjoy and this makes you happy, clams down your body, and releases all the stress.
PRO TIP
You can start your adventure by visiting India, Italy, France, Japan, and Turkey which are well-known for their rich culture and food!
Final Words
By now, you must’ve realized how amazing gastronomic tourism is. It’s a unique experience that everyone needs to have at least once in their life. It’s the same as traveling normally, it’s just that here you are more invested in the food.
Furthermore, it’s perfect for all the foodies around the world and people who want to try something different. So, what are you waiting for? Pick a destination, book your flights, pack your bags, and go on a flavorful adventure.
