How Gastronomy Has Changed Today's World - Case Study Example

REPORT OF GASTRONOMY By Student’s Name Code +course name Professor’s name University name City, State Date Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 2 1.1 Aims and Objectives 3 2.0 Discussion 5 2.1Theory Definition of gastronomy and tourism 5 2.2 Background information about the sites 6 3.0 Conclusion and Recommendations 12 1.0 Introduction For many years, people have travelled across the globe in pursuit of food. Food enthusiasts travel throughout the world to share food experiences. Following its ecological environment and nice residential conditions, the city of Melbourne has emerged as the Australia’s cultural capital. In Melbourne, people’s diversity is manifested through the various eateries. In the city, a food trail enthusiast will find various eateries including Italian, German to French, Mexican to Greek, and Japanese to Indian. Visitors, who are hungry for something different, not only get to quench their appetite, but also get satisfied beyond expectations. Melbourne food trails are spiced up with appealing snippets of olden times and entertaining tales. For instance, Melbourne Flinders Square, which is found in Melbourne’s central business district, is culturally-infused, thereby providing visitors who love food with a gastronomic experience. To shed more light on gastronomy, this report focuses on food trail and the fine wine retail cellar, and how they have promoted the understanding of gastronomy. This report, explores personal experience on visiting the Melbourne Flinders square and the Yarra Valley wine region, Australia. 1.1 Aims and Objectives The purpose of the study is to examine and identify the linkage between gastronomy and tourism. The study has the following objectives: i. Investigate the literature regarding gastronomy and sustainable tourism in Australia. ii. Explore the linkages that exist between gastronomy and tourism. iii. Make conclusions and recommendations for effective application of gastronomy to achieve sustainable tourism. 2.0 Discussion 2.1Theory Definition of gastronomy and tourism 2.1.1 Definition of gastronomy Gastronomy could be defined as the study of food and culture, with a particular focus on foodie cuisine. Gastronomy was not a common phenomenon in Austral until recently. Today, the concept of gastronomy has been largely embraced in various countries. Each country, thus, uses its local culture to market itself as the ideal tourist destination. Gastronomy could be defined as an art that examines food and community’s way of life. Different countries have different foods and drinks, and thus, people identify themselves with the kind of food and drinks that they offer. Gastronomy, therefore, provides tourists with the much needed experience. While it is believed that the concept of gastronomy began in the 18th century, the growth can only be regarded as steady, not impressive. Good evidence that proves that food and culture is still an infant industry in many countries across the globe is the preference by some tourists for national parks and other protected areas. Nonetheless, many countries, including Australia, Italy and Spain have made tremendous efforts to promote gastronomy as a key tourism product. 2.1.2 Definition of tourism Tourism could be defined as the act of travelling to a destination that has rich heritage as well as environmental sites. Tourism undoubtedly provides visitors with panoramic experience that relieves the hustle and bustle of the harsh life. Tourist activities play a crucial role of enhancing the living conditions of the host community. 2.2 Background information about the sites 2.2.1 The Melbourne Flinders Square The Melbourne Flinders Square (popularly known as Fed Square) is among the most visited tourist attractions in Melbourne, Australia. Fed Square is renowned for its distinctive cultural precinct that captures the hearts and wallets of visitors. The Fed Square is situated in the CBD of Melbourne, and therefore, it is a popular destination for most Australians. Visitors can catch a cruise, take a tour, use the free Wi-Fi and feast in style. The Fed Square is always preoccupied with activities and huge crowds normally gather to view major sporting events including the Australian Open, FIFA World Cup, AFL Grand Final, and The London Marathon among many others. In addition, the Fed Square has unique architecture, thus making it emerge as one of the best tourist attraction sin Melbourne. The atmosphere of the Melbourne Flinders Square is always very spectacular. Food and beverages are part of the overall spectacular experience. The Melbourne Flinders Square serves a variety of foods. Even though the food prices are high, most visitors do not complain much after considering the variety, quality and value. Moreover, hotel cleanliness and courtesy of serving employees are always amazing. The majority of the staff members are very friendly and accommodating. Therefore, the Fed Square stands out among others due to its impressive attraction facilities, warm environment and variety of foods. Visitors at the Melbourne Flinders Square also get to experience the untouchable traditional dishes of Mexicans during the Mission Foods Mexican Festival. The Mission Foods Mexican Festival is an annual event that provides an opportunity for food lovers to enjoy a taste of Mexican food. It is held in September each year at the Fed Square, and attracts more than 30,000 visitors from various parts of the world. At its core, this festival is about community, creativity and ritual of taking the time out of busy lifestyles. This festival is usually prepared by participating Mexican restaurants, including La Tortilleria, Mexico City, Taco Bill, Santa Ana among others in collaboration with Melbourne hospitality and food organizations. Thus, this enables Australians to have a feel of the Mexican delicious dishes. Different types of Mexican foods and wine brands are widely used in this festival. This festival attracts food and wine experts from various parts of the globe, including renowned growers, winemakers, chefs, food and wine commentators, authors, purveyors and critics. The Mission Foods Mexican Festival enhances community participation, enhances the authentic experience and also provides education to the Australians. With regards to community participation, the Mission Foods Mexican Festival allows both old and young members of the community to interact, thereby promoting cultural identity. For instance, jazz enthusiasts love to attend the Mission Foods Mexican Festival in order to experience the awe-inspiring sounds of Mexican jazz artists. Thus, this festival acts as a tool of promoting cultural identity. The Mission Foods Mexican Festival acts as a major tourist destination by providing guests with gastronomic experience. Therefore, most visitors attend the Mission Foods Mexican Festival in order to know the traditions of Mexicans. The cultural rituals are mainly characterized by the ritual exchange of food, music and drink. Thus, they play a crucial role as far as the representation of local lifestyle and culture is concerned. The Mission Foods Mexican Festival provides visitors with an opportunity of savoring various Mexican dishes. Dishes range from quick foods to set menus. In addition, the traditional dancers provide visitors with the much needed entertainment. As such, the Mission Foods Mexican Festival plays a key role of shaping social interactions and socially-generated behaviors of the members of a community. In turn, they influence the image and reputation of Mexicans in the eyes of visitors and tourists. Therefore, the Mission Foods Mexican Festival provides opportunities for visitors to establish social networks, which contribute to the creation of social capital and the establishment of social cohesion. 2.2.2 The Yarra Valley wine region In a similar way as food trail, wine has also offered unique gastronomic experiments amongst wine enthusiasts throughout the world. In the past, European and Middle Eastern countries were regarded as the best producers of wine in the world. According to historians, wine was first produced in 600 BC. It was used during celebrations and on special events. In other cultures, wine was used for religious practices, treatment of several human afflictions and to supplement the diet. The emergence of new wine production territories has paved the way for the growth of the wine industry. Research shows that wine tourism is one of the fastest growing tourism sectors in the world. Wine is slowly but surely becoming a lifestyle drink for many consumers across the globe. In recent years, wine tourism has become a highly competitive aspect, as a result of the saturation of wine brands on the international market. This has forced wine marketers throughout the world to formulate new marketing strategies in order to attract new consumers while at the same time, maintaining the existing wine drinkers. Thus, wine producers should provide unique wine brands that will make tourists come back in the future. The Yarra Valley wine region is famous for its unique wine. The proximity of the valley to Melbourne City makes it to be easily accessible. In addition, the region has a cool climate, and the soils are normally rich in minerals. Valleys are known to be a major factor for the growth of grapes. Majority of vineyards world over are situated in the valleys. Vineyards (the plantations for grapes) thrive well in such climatic conditions. Normally, there are two main types of wines, that is, the new world wine and the old wine. The Yarra Valley wine region produces old wine, which is considered to be superior. Thus, tourists visit areas that produce the old wine, including the Yarra Valley wine region in order to experience it. In addition to wineries, the Yarra Valley is famous for its push and pull factors. Push factors relate to aspects that enhance the eco-tourism activities. These factors thus push tourists from their native countries. For instance, hotels and restaurants in the Yarra region are well managed, and this makes the valley be popular with wine enthusiasts who normally prefer to visit areas with good infrastructure. Pull factors relate to those aspects that enhance a tourism brand by attracting tourists to visit a particular region. The pull factors in the Yarra region include such aspects as beautiful scenery, nearness to Melbourne City, superb road network, peaceful coexistence amongst tribes, competitive prices and reputation. In recent years, wine tourism has become a highly competitive aspect, as a result of the saturation of wine brands on the international market. The Yarra Valley wine region strives to provide unique wine brands that will make tourists come back in the future. Yarra Valley wine region 3.0 Conclusion and Recommendations This report has clearly shown that gastronomy has greatly changed in today’s world. These changes have forced people to look for unique tourism products in order to create new tourist markets. The food and wine trails undoubtedly provides visitors with panoramic experience that relieves the hustle and bustle of the harsh life. The food and wine trails attracts tens of thousands of visitors. Both Melbourne Flinders square and Yarra Valley wine region, generates both positive and negative impacts on the host community. For instance, they have contributed to Australia’s economic growth. The success of food and wine trails across Australia has been made possible by the existent of a government sector that is efficient, a competitive business sector, and a labor market that is flexible. Through sound management plan, Melbourne will emerge as one of the most preferred tourist destination across the globe. Australian leaders should ensure that strong policies and institutions are established in order to support the sustainability of the food and wine trails. The Food and Wine trails do not effectively contribute to traditional and cultural meanings shared by Victorian community. In fact, promotion of foreign practices in the event may slowly erode local culture and the importance of this festival as a ritual. Thus, it is imperative for the food and wine trails to focus more on promoting local culture and to protect traditions and cultural meanings shared by Victorian community. To achieve this, there is a need to promote or to encourage the promotion of local customs to the visitors. This will also make this event more unique and more attractive to tourists. Secondly, Melbourne food and wine trails largely facilitate the formation of networks and partnerships among hospitality and food and wine industries. To be more successful in attracting tourists, it is essential for the food and wine trails’ management to involve other industries more, such as agricultural and manufacturing sectors. This will help to facilitate beneficial networks and partnerships between food and wine industry and other industries which have not formed links with it. In addition, this will help to attract wineries and wine-makers who are reluctant to be involved in the tourism industry. Additionally, food and Wine trails can facilitate inter-industry integration through inclusion of programs designed to provide industries with adequate information about the importance of integration. Finally, food and wine trails have been successful in maximizing positive environmental impacts through various strategies. However, there are minimal efforts to discourage the use of non-renewable resources. To be more successful, there is a need for the festival put more efforts in supporting sustainable tourism through discouragement of use of non-renewable resources. Read More