Regional Food as the Catalyst for Cultural Tourism in India

Abstract

Culture is playing an increasingly important role in tourism, and food is one of the key elements of culture. Tourists enjoy indigenous food, particularly items of local or ethnic nature. Furthermore, knowledge of the local, regional, and national cuisine has become an interest for tourists. The concept of consuming local food or drink is considered first-hand cultural experience, and it is on top of the tourist attraction list. In India, the promotion of food as a component of its destination attractiveness is in the budding phase. The context of this contribution is to underpin such linkages between tourism and food that can add to the cultural value of the destinations. The present empirical research is aimed to explore the role of food, culture, and tourism in sustaining the tourism of India. The current study will also attempt to address the role of regional food in promoting the cultural tourism of a particular destination. Further, the study will explore how the local food helps the tourist to recall the cultural heritage of a tourist's destination.