Food has always been a component of tourism but it is only recently that it has been truly recognized for the significant part it plays in the overall experience of a destination. Today’s tourist is better informed, more cultured, well travelled and looking for new experiences. Food offers a gateway into other cultures, through taste, through food preparation and the whole eating environment. Food and drink provide lasting memories that define a holiday or travel experience.
Food embodies cultural identity and individuality, giving the tourist an insight into a new experience, the exotic, the unusual and a deeper insight into the place they are visiting. Food tourism could be commercial or domestic, festive or ordinary, involving restaurants, festivals, cookbooks, speciality food stores, food events, cookery classes, films, brochures, food and wine tours and other similar ways of physically experiencing the product. But there is also the tangible aspects of food and drink that provide a knowledge base into the religion, traditions, customs and history of other places like Honde Valley.
We at Fortune Development Centre would like to ensure that the food options on offer are as appealing as possible and shown in their best light. Part of the joy of travel is the enjoyment of trying out unaccustomed cuisines, but not just the eating but the opportunity to find it, for example. Our catering services should also use food tourism as a focal point of a show, linking all the different elements via food and drink or by using food as an added attraction to the show. Sadza and meat with local beer to washdown, i.e., tasting tourism is therefore what it is all about and ensuring that this is covered and promoted as part of the marketing initiative for our tourism destination.