Potential of Gastronomy as a Tool for Growth of Tourism in Gujarat India

Many types of tourism have evolved over the years that are classified based on the purpose for which a trip is undertaken by the tourist. These emerging types of tourism such as educational tourism, medical tourism, wildlife tourism, adventure tourism etc. to name a few attract varied sectors of the tourist population. Among these another unique tourism sector that is fast emerging is Gastronomy Tourism. The term Gastronomy is often used to connote the art of cooking and eating fine food but some people also relate the concept of food to the local culture as well when talking about gastronomy. Tourists today not only want the luxury of five star hotels but also want to experience the local culture. And food forms an important part of a destinations culture. India is home to many cultures and has varied terrains with environmental conditions that change in a matter of a few kilometres. This factor has contributed significantly to the development of area specific gastronomy where techniques as well as raw materials used to prepare dishes are unique in their own ways. The state of Gujarat is famous for its vibrant and colourful culture that is a major attraction for tourists all over the globe. Gastronomy in this state has a long history that has evolved over the years. It is famous for its quick snacks and distinct sweet flavours. The existence of large rural and tribal areas in the state also has their own gastronomy tale that interests many. Tourists today are on the lookout for traditional cuisines and prefer visiting locals, rather than going to fancy restaurants to taste them. In Gujarat every festival and season is celebrated with great pomp and show and gastronomy is also an essential part of it. This paper studies and analyses how gastronomy experiences can be used as an effective tool for promoting tourism in Gujarat. The ancient traditions and customs around gastronomy can be used as a focus factor and promotional strategies can be developed in order to get more tourist inflow from the domestic as well as international market. Ruchika Agarwal | Dr. Sarjoo Patel "Potential of Gastronomy as a Tool for Growth of Tourism in Gujarat (India)" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-6 , October 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd47543.pdf Paper URL : https://www.ijtsrd.com/management/other/47543/potential-of-gastronomy-as-a-tool-for-growth-of-tourism-in-gujarat-india/ruchika-agarwal