ABSTRACT
Aim of the Study: This study aims to determine to what extent the "sustainable development" trend, which is adopted as an indispensable idea in several industries, can also be implemented for sustainable gastronomy tourism.
Design/Methodology: In the present study, a literature review was conducted by reviewing books, journals, academic theses, and internet resources on the possible contributions of sustainable gastronomy tourism to sustainable tourism and sustainable economic development.
Findings: The results of the research reveal that the term "sustainability" can be used to justify many diagnoses and opinions, which in some cases complicates the issue. Therefore, some activities that were carried out for either sustainable tourism or sustainable gastronomy tourism have brought negative consequences.
Practical Implications: The goal of sustainable gastronomy tourism is to make the destination more attractive to the visitor by bringing out its cultural life, cuisine, local products, and all other service components rather than innovations. Thus, the goal is to leave a more liveable physical and cultural environmental heritage to future generations and contribute to local economic development, as well as achieve gastro-tourist satisfaction in the long term. In this context, as in the case of other sectors of the economy, sustainable gastronomy tourism activities should not conflict with physical, social, cultural environment, and economic sustainability rules. With its contribution to the diversity of touristic products, gastronomy tourism ensures increasing national and international tourism revenues and employment opportunities while, with its economic added value effect, it is on the way to becoming an important step for sustainable progress and development.
Originality/value: It is important that this study was carried out on sustainable gastronomy tourism, which is given relatively little place in academic research. However, the selection of the literature review method reveals the limitations of the study. It is believed that more different perspectives can be brought to the subject with future empirical studies.
Keywords: Gastronomy, gastronomy tourism, sustainability, development, environment, culture.
Paper Type: Review Article