Principles of Gastronomy - Queen Victoria Market and Yarra Valley - Case Study Example

Principles of Gastronomy Name Course Tutor Instructor Date of submission Executive Summary The report intends to depict the rationale behind terming gastronomic tourism as a product of tourism. The report utilizes food and wine trails to explain the essence of the culture in fostering successful tourism trends. Gastronomic tourism comprises of all the activities and products used to ensure that tourism choose particular areas as their preferable tourist destination (Hjalager & Richards 2003). Melbourne is a beneficiary of this new trend in tourism. The report addressed the scholar understanding of the principles of gastronomy, as well as, the practical analysis of some tourist attraction sites such as Queen Victoria market and Yarra Valley. Most importantly, gastronomy is an emerging trend in tourism that has made many states including Australian become hubs of tourism. The report justifies the extent in which this trend has put Melbourne on the global map of tourism. Introduction From a professional point of understanding, Gastronomy depicts the study of the relationship between cultures and foods. Quite often, the term gastronomy is considered to be an exclusive art of cooking. However, the complexity of this art is that the foods are developed with different cultural components. Such an art could be developed for different purposes. For instance, the art could be used to attract a certain portfolio of customer where the cooking is being done for commercial purposes (Hjalager & Richards 2003). Cultural spices or cooking strategies could be used to attract people from a particular community to visit and consume the food. Alternatively, it may be used to attract people to a recognizable and renowned dish. Therefore, it could be considered as reflective cooking and eating where food is prepared, maintained with regards to the level of excellence and fancy food and drinks that are demanded. Gastronomy is used as an attraction element for tourism. Tourism is the exercise of people moving from one place to another away from their normal places of residence for leisure and adventure. Usually, every time a tourist wants to travel, there has to a specific tourist product that the tourists intend to encounter. These are products that meet the expectations of the tourists. These products could be housing, natural phenomenon, and the cultural attractions. Other categories of these tourists’ expectations include entertainment, catering, and secure traveling. All these products act as motivational agents to the tourists (Csapó 2012). The report intends to focus on gastronomic tourism. Arguably, gastronomic tourism represents the affiliated cultural form of cooking and food production with an objective of attracting tourists. It is meant to motivate tourists and elevate the level of satisfaction as expected by the tourists. The report aims to depict the extent to which gastronomy can be understood as a tourism product (Csapó 2012). The report will utilize two renowned sites in Victoria and Wine Chateau to elaborate how gastronomy serves as an instrumental factor in influencing boost in the tourism sector. Gastronomy and Gastronomic tourism Culture is an essential element of tourism. The gastronomic form of tourism is described or identified as a subcategory of cultural tourism. From a historical point of understanding, the industrialization sector in 20th century commenced threatening the artisan producers. Remember, these were the major forms of cultural attractions in the tourism industry. Instead, the sector has embarked on methods that offer quality made products that are developed using time-honoured methods. That implies that gastronomy is a manifestation of cultural tourism. In most cases, tourists are usually amused after unique gastronomical experiences. In fact, it is one of the most imperative elements or trends in the tourism sector, globally. It is one element that is incorporated in the new concept of cultural heritage, as well as, cultural tourism. The demand for this new concept is being driven by the growing trends of lifestyle, authenticity, high-quality experience demands and environmental protection (Csapó 2012). Thus, tourists continually demand foods that create an emphasis on heritage and culture of different places. It is an approach towards the preservation of traditional forms of agriculture and cultural heritage. Prior to making a precise analysis of practical circumstances where gastronomy in Mel is a tourist attraction instrument, it is imperative to make an analysis of how food production features in the new concepts of tourism (Scarpato 2002). First, Gastronomy is identified as a tourist attraction resource. It gets appreciated not simply because of its individual sake. However, it is appreciated because of its stunning ability to generate rural development. Precisely, it is in a position to elevate rural revenue resources, as well as, improve the income levels of the local labour forces. Today, food is a crucial issue in the “Think globally, act locally” debate. That means that the tourists are also major contributors in facilitating the success of environmental protection endeavours Gastronomic tourism is also described as the culinary tourism where people make travel arrangements to specific destinations across the world under the motivation of the local foods and beverages. In some cases, culinary tourism is viewed as a domestic-affiliated form of tourism where the consumers travel to places to eat and drink particular local products. Most tourist destinations are combining culinary products with other forms of leisure such as riding and country tours (Scarpato 2002). Most tourist consumers are highly aware of the benefits associated with local produce. The report intends to clarify on some of the trends that ascertain culinary or gastronomic tourism as one crucial aspect in the tourist attraction. For instance, the major category of consumers in this category are middle-income, earners. From a global perspective, there are myriad middle-income earners who are potential customers and beneficiaries of this type of tourism. The general perception of culinary of gastronomy tourism is only differentiated by the fact that different regions have different categories of foods and drinks offered at different places across the globe. Perfect examples of gastronomic tourism services include seminars of Cretan Cuisine and visiting places where there traditional products being offered and traditional cooking events taking place. Distinguished value of food or gastronomic tourism Tourists have diverse interests that encourage them to visit certain places. The wider one intends to travel; the broader is the range of culinary products and experiences one gets. For over one decade, the destination marketing organizations have continually managed to leverage the rise of mainstream interests in food (Scarpato 2002). The intention of these endeavours is to ensure that there are open consumer markets and steer business to a wider range. Therefore, there are two dimensions from which the gastronomic tourism appreciated. First, the service providers intend to increase the turn up of the tourists by producing cultural foods and drinks. Alternatively, the tourists view it as a suitable alternative with regards to the usual walks, entertainments, and tour travels. To some extent, the tourists are enjoying other perspectives of food tourism. One the aspects include learning new cultural beliefs that are attributed to the foods that they consume. Additionally, it’s a chance to learn regional and international heritage and culture that is reflected in foods and beverages. It is an opportunity to actualize the feeling of being in other cultures. Culinary or gastronomy, however, is not limited to gourmet foods and food culture. It could also be associated with agro-tourism since the seeds of cuisine are acquired from agriculture. That creates a substantial platform for the farm market in gastronomic tourism. In a bid to demonstrate the gastronomic category of tourism, the report will focus on how Victoria market and Wine Chateau operate as gastronomic tourism centres. These centres are spontaneous sites in the city of Melbourne that have been iconic in the context of harbouring both domestic and international tourists. Gastronomy in Queen Victoria Market Victoria ranks highly in the Australian economic and cultural map. It is easier to understand what the Queen Victoria market offers as a gastronomic tourist centre, bearing the understanding of gastronomic or food tourism across the world. From the definition of the city, the ultimate trends traversing in the tourism industry to the cultural heritage in Melbourne are well established in the Queen Victoria market (Queen Victoria Market 2013). Initially, Queen Victoria market is a historic landmark, well-defined institution and tourist attraction in Melbourne, Australia. Recent analysis shows that gastronomic tourism is a very detrimental commodity in Australia. The Victoria market is one advanced success in the Australia’s efforts to establish rich gastronomic tourism trends (Queen Victoria Market 2013). One analyst, David Scott confides that the food and wine festivals, as well as, foraging forms of foods will be the next big thing in Australian gastronomic tourism sector. Brief analysis of Victoria market Impact of food trails in fostering gastronomy in Victoria market The market is a vivid reflection of the city’s cosmopolitan makeup. That means that it is a centre of local tourism. First, shoppers are certain to find everything in the market, especially when it comes to foods and vegetables (Symons 2007). That involves the local and imported foods, general merchandise, and fashion. It is rich in gathering all categories of foods irrespective of the type. The portfolio of foods makes a suitable tourist attraction since the visitors would wish to view and even consume these foods. The market is also comprised of Deli Hall meant for the artisan cheeses, takeaway foods, and dressed meats (Queen Victoria Market 2013). Further, the market is comprised of different categories of fruits and vegetable depending on the seasons in which they are harvested. The market specialized in making sales and representations of fresh products such as coffee, wine, and meat. Thus, most travellers bestow their trust in the market’s capability to provide what they demand while on vacation or similar experiences. Recent reviews show that Victoria market is a perfect destination for foods and their values that play an imperative role in maintaining the heritage and culture in Australia and international states. Recent analysis depicts that the Victoria market deviates from the passive tourism where travellers gaze at historical monuments, as well as, natural attractions. However, the market provides a different dimension of tourism that focuses on local aspects such as foods that represent the authentic local experiences (Symons 2007). It is concise that tourists’ feedback indicates that the tourists are looking for anything that is transformational. The fruits and affiliated products offered at the markets are paramount in attracting tourists both locally and internationally. The Queen Victoria markets worldwide fame and acknowledgment is one factor that steers my quest to understand the extent to which the aspect of gastronomy makes the market a renowned cultural and heritage attraction centre for travellers. The concept of gastronomy revolves around making a place culturally rich site a preferable site for tourists. In this case, the market is a precise centre with high profile foods and fruits amongst other products. These products are not only based on Australia’s cultures but also represent other international cultures. Further, the market influences my understanding of gastronomy with regards to the aspects that there is a lot to learn regarding foods (Symons 2007). For instance, the market hosts a social kitchen that acts as a centre for global roaming cooking experience. A perfect example is that of Fisher and Paykel that was that carried out the activity in the year 2014. Most tourists who do not want to continue visiting monuments prefer the action and learning that takes place in places such as Victoria market. From an analytical point of view, tourism in Victoria market is facilitated by the rich food and wines that are a symbol of continued cultural heritage. The foods are displayed, and the fresh fruits available in the market are globally acknowledged. These aspects make the market a suitable and preferable venue when it comes to describing potential gastronomic tourist sites. Analysis of Wine Chateau (cellar) in Victoria, Melbourne There are several renowned Chateaus in Melbourne that give room for winery tours. A perfect example is that of Yarra Valley Tours. The Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel hosts numerous weekend parties and vacation sessions. These experiences are offered to facilitate the tour travel privilege the passive tourism has been offering. For instance, the Yarra winery tour commences with a taste of the wines that are categorized as the most outstanding wines (Yarra Valley 2012). Of course, most of the tourist attraction sites tend to offer obvious travel privileges to the tourists. The campaign that follows the Melbourne’s’ Yarra Valley experience is that one has to feel completely satisfied. The Yalla Valley Chateau is a destination that has existed in Australia for quite a long time. The aspects of wine revolve around the concept of lifestyle and new experiences. Accordingly, the wine tasting among other experiences featured in the experience show that Yarra Valley is destined to promote style, romance, sophistication and showcasing the key attributes of Yarra Valley. The tourist destination considers some attributes that make it a special tourist attraction. First, it considers showcasing the local culture and heritage. However, it also focuses on merging the demands of the tourists with regards to attributes such as sophistication, romance, and lifestyle (Yarra Valley 2012). Therefore, the concept of creating events that the tourists would wish to encounter and that are different from another passive form of experiences make the wine activities preferable in the concept of terrorism. Arguably, there are some supportive elements acquired from secondary sources that depict the wine tourism venture to be a superb gastronomic venture. Some of the factors that have been featured to show tremendous financial income. That implies that most tourists are attracted by the experience they get when subjected to winery ventures. To some extent, some of the tourist encounter favour in some practices demonstrated in the winery experience. Accordingly, the winery experience is part of gastronomy or gastronomic tourism. There are several factors that can prove that gastronomy is not just a mere element of tourism. However, it is a comprehensive element of tourism. First, the tally of tourists that visit the country to engage in the winery experience are tremendously many. Since the initial launch of the practice in the year 2003, domestic and international participants of the exercise have increased (Symons 2007). The same case applies to the revenue attributed to visitors who particularly visit the region in a bid to participate in the exercise. In fact, there seems to be a substantial change in the feedback provided by tourists as they try to compare the normal tour travels and such real exercises. There is an absolute change in attitude towards tourism after tourist engages in the gastronomic tourism trends. Recommendation and conclusion The reports create a very substantial comparison between the gastronomic form of tourism and the passive form of tourism. For decades, the passive form of tourism has dominated many tourist attraction sites in Australia and across the world. However, the establishment of the gastronomic tourism is a brilliant idea that is most feasibly capable of creating relevance in the tourist sector. Melbourne is one beneficiary of gastronomic tourism. It is recommendable that such sites such as Victoria market and the Wine centres merge some of the gastronomic elements of tourism with the passive tourism to ensure there is consistency in the new tourism trends. For instance, the persons and organizations in the tourism sector ought to ensure that they foster improved quality of these products and services to represent the cultural heritage, both local and international adequately. Bibliography Hjalager, A. M., & Richards, G. (Eds.). 2003, Tourism and gastronomy. Routledge. Scarpato, R. 2002, Gastronomy as a tourist product: The perspective of gastronomy studies. Tourism and gastronomy, 51-70. Csapó, J. 2012, The role and importance of cultural tourism in modern tourism industry. INTECH Open Access Publisher. Symons, M. 2007, One continuous picnic: a gastronomic history of Australia. Melbourne Univ. Publishing. Queen Victoria Market - City of Melbourne. 2013, Retrieved from http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Placestogo/MelbourneLandmarks/Historic/Pages/4144.aspx Yarra Valley - Tourism Victoria. 2012, December 12, Retrieved from http://www.tourism.vic.gov.au/marketing-campaigns/regional-marketing/yarra-valley.html Read More