Introduction
Gastronomy is a discipline that studies how food and culture relate to people in a particular area. In addition, it also refers to the culinary art of preparing and serving delicate, delicious, and rich nutrition of a specific region. Gastronomy is also an art and science of good eating behaviors. In the modern world, Australia has become a center for tastes in travel. Food tourism has become a prominent factor, which could make the country a culinary capital of the world. On the other hand, gastronomic tourism entails traveling to different places to take local cuisine and participate in local food-related undertakings. For example, an American could travel to China to sample Chinese cuisine.
The reputation of Australian food and drinks is top-notch and known worldwide. In this case, gastronomic tourism in Australia helps economic growth and development and enables sharing of culture and heritage. However, gastronomic tourism has, in most cases, resulted in the wastage of food, which is not a good thing as far as food security is concerned. This research holds that gastronomic culture is one of the primary attractions of the tour industry in Australia and the rising demand for food and drinks and the exploration of tourist culture. Gastronomic tourism is growing at a faster rate than other forms of tourism. As a result, other forms of tourism are declining at the expense of gastronomic tourism. As a leading tourist destination, Australia needs to put more research into developing gastronomic tourism to enhance the tourism sector.
Argument
The growth rate of gastronomic tourism in Australia is more than in other forms such as sport and recreation. In Australia, there is a new crop of visitors whose primary objective is to sample food. Such tourists may be domestic or international tourists traveling far and wide in Australia. The socioeconomic and demographic profile of such people demonstrates their interest in the best culinary experiences while in the country (Jolliffe, 2019). The behavioral and travel preferences of such people (primarily women) focus on food sampling and treat other forms of tourism as secondary. For example, women food lovers are affluent and highly educated to know what they want while touring the country. Female tourists seek authentic, regional, and diverse experiences to make them happy (Lai et al., 2019). In this case, they are willing to travel for superb experiences of foods and drinks, complemented by sightseeing and cultural activities.
Australia is one country known for its relevant drink and food reputation (Ellis et al., 2018). In contemporary society, most tourists will likely consider drinks and food as crucial prerequisites while choosing their desired destinations as some tourists look for destinations where they can sample the best culinary experiences. Australia is one of the most prominent countries regarding food tourism and one of the best culinary experiences in the world (Lai et al., 2019). It is ranked among the world’s 15 most celebrated wine and food experiences markets (Andersen et al., 2018). Australia has constantly enriched the experiences of its tourists through its excellent food culture. Most visitors seek authentic local food and drinks. Therefore, Australia happens to be at the apex of significant consideration when choosing the best culinary experiences in the world. Thus, there is a high chance of choosing Australia for the world’s best authentic foods and drinks.
Gastronomy tourism is the future in Australia because it immensely contributes to economic development and growth. In this case, the visiting tourists spend an estimated 25 percent of their travel budget on drinks and food (Ellis et al., 2018). In addition, the culture of gastronomy in Australia is relevant because it enhances other sectors of the economy, such as travel activities, hotel accommodation, and tour guides. Ultimately, gastronomy in the Australian market is a job creator because it provides more employment opportunities to the country (Rousta & Jamshidi, 2019). Visitors or tourists who travel out of their home countries significantly contribute to the economy because they spend money on hotel accommodation and transport. For example, tourists need the services of tour companies who transport such visitors from one area to another. Gastronomic tourism in Australia also reinforces other businesses such as tour operators, food producers, boarding and lodging services, and retailing. All the activities have a positive impact on the overall economy.
In Australia, food tourism promotes culinary culture, food, and rural heritage, which helps to put the country’s culture to the entire world (Rachão et al., 2019). In most areas of Australia, tales behind food represent their history, heritage, and culture. In addition, the country’s food culture is one of the things that assist visitors to learn about food history that has been passed down from generation to generation (Rousta & Jamshidi, 2019). Gastronomy is one of the things that connect people through the food culture and make them feel at home.
Travellers could put the country at the top the world’s most prominent culinary experiences. In addition, a food museum could also be a game-changer in placing the country in the global food segment (Rachão et al., 2019). Defining the country’s food culture would be challenging because it will serve as a melting pot for all food cultures in the world. There have been countries that have successfully established food museums. Some of the countries include Sweden and the Netherlands. Countries worldwide have capitalized on the lucrative food tourism industry (Agyeiwaah et al., 2018). Gastronomical tourism is growing faster in Australia than in other countries or other forms of tourism. Other forms of tourism are declining at gastronomy’s expense.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a need to note that gastronomic tourism is the future of the Australian tourism sector. In contemporary society, food happens to be one of the most relevant things to human life. Most people are always interested in exploring authentic and new food items and drinks while on leisure travel. Australia is one of the world’s most prominent countries with some renowned culinary experiences. Australia’s reputation in the field of gastronomy is owed to its food and drinks experiences. In addition, gastronomy is one of the most relevant drivers that influence the economic growth and development of the Australian economy.
Furthermore, gastronomic tourism in the Australian market happens to be a significant driver in promoting the people and their cultural heritage. However, gastronomic tourism in Australia has often led to the wastage of food, which is a considerable challenge to the industry. There is a need for the tourism industry to address the adverse impact on the environment. Thus, the sector should promote some ongoing initiatives that would help safeguard the environment. Additionally, gastronomic tourism is not all about the cuisine but uniting people for the common good. The concept of gastronomy brings people of different backgrounds together to share the culture of Australia through food.
References
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