CULINARY TOURISM IN REGIONAL AND MUNICIPAL STRATEGIES OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this paper is to check to what extent culinary tourism and its various forms are included in tourism development strategies developed for individual voivodships as well as cities with the status of regional capitals. The second goal is to find out what types of culinary tourism products (culinary routes, festivals, etc.) are promoted by regional tourist organisations. The authors also tried to verify whether the culinary tourism offer is specific for individual regions and whether it may contribute to the regional branding strategy. Method. The analysis of regional tourism related strategic documents valid in January 2018 was performed in terms of culinary tourism. Additionally, analysis of websites regarding all regional tourist organisations was carried out and the validity of the offer was checked via telephone calls. Findings. In the analysed documents, culinary heritage usually appears within the context of cultural tourism and agritourism. Only in the Lubuskie voivodeship were wine and culinary tourism considered as the leading forms of tourism in the region. It is precisely the Lubuskie voivodship that plans to build its tourist brand on the basis of culinary heritage. In other cases, local cuisine usually appears at the level of operational goals or as an element of other tourist products. In the Pomeranian voivodeship, brand specialties that go beyond the culinary traditions of the region were proposed in a creative way. Research and conclusions limitations. Not all voivodships have current tourism related strategic documents. Some regions still base on strategies that were developed for earlier periods. Practical implications. Analysis shows that not all projects related to culinary tourism are long-term in nature, especially regarding culinary trails. Some even interesting initiatives have not been continued, thus tourists were not even aware they existed. Originality. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first analysis of strategic documents in Poland within the context of culinary tourism. Type of paper. The article presents the results of empirical research.