16 Oct 2019

The gastronomy. – A constantly evolving heritage

A creative author cuisine and new wine tourism proposals contribute to the growing interest of gastronomic tourism

Gastronomy is already consolidated as one of the products that complement the offer of tourist destinations as it directly influences the decision of travelers when choosing their leisure and business trips.

The high quality of the cuisine of our country and its international recognition provide added and differential value. The initiatives around gastronomy and gastronomic tourism do not cease. “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” magazine includes 14 Spanish restaurants in its 2019 list, of which eleven already have three Michelin stars.

The profile of the gastronomic tourist corresponds to 58% of travelers between the ages of 36 and 55, with higher or university studies and the vast majority is active in the work market. Apart from being able to eat in good restaurants, the favorite activity of the gastronomic tourist is to go for tapas, which is perfectly complemented with both rural tourism, as well as for the sun and beach tourist or for those who make tourist trips combining leisure and business for attend MICE events.

The Strength of gastronomic tourism is evident thanks to the revaluation of its cuisine and the native products used in each region. Andalusia, Catalunya, Madrid, the Basque Country or Rioja develop specific proposals for each tourist destination that allow differential value and added value, promoting multiculturalism.

In La Rioja, Navarra and, especially, in Catalonia, new offers are emerging around wine that have led Wine Tourism to constant growth. Its Wine Routes are part of leisure and vacation trips. Each season, new pioneering initiatives arise that develop new wine tourism proposals and offers that respond to the growing interest of tourists and visitors. Visits to wineries and tours of villages with wine activity are the main activities chosen, accompanied by a cultural offer or activities related to nature.

Catalunya is a gastronomic paradise where its cuisine is a tasty mix of heritage, own product of the territory, tradition, creativity and innovation. When talking about gastronomy, Catalan cuisine is a reference and being able to discover it through the palate makes it a very attractive option.

The gastronomic heritage of the region dates back to medieval times and, at present, it is still based on the value of the regional product obtained from the sea, the mountains, the garden and the forests. Recipes were born from this tradition that today are so popular that they are part of the daily homemade menus, such as “escudella”, “carn d’olla” or “escalivada” just to highlight some.

Of the products that are supplied every day in the markets, a Mediterranean diet is elaborated that not only contributes to the creation of new gastronomic experiences, but also promotes health and well-being due to its varied and complementary list of products with which they are made dishes. To these traditional dishes it is possible to add the creative author’s cuisine that has put many of the region’s chefs and its renowned restaurants at the head of world cuisine. However, in 2016, Catalonia was declared a European Region of Gastronomy

Gastronomy has become one of the first factors to be valued by tourists when choosing a vacation destination. Inland tourism, which plays a prominent role in territorial balance, also moves through food attractions. Gastronomy has always been linked to tourism. At this point, it should not be forgotten that the most important gastronomic guide in the world, and that serves as a reference in travel, was an initiative carried out by a tire manufacturer.

Different studies conducted by tourism promotion agencies in some European countries located on the front line of tourism destinations, indicate that the gastronomic offer is one of the most important components that accompany the cultural offer of the destination. This explains, to a large extent, why the average expenditure per tourist has increased in recent years. Therefore, enhancing the gastronomic offer together with the different events is not only consistent, but it is also recommended when betting on the tourist positioning of any region.

For its part, Catalonia is one of the communities that has been most concerned so far to investigate, assess and promote, from a tourist point of view, all its food heritage. Although the interest that all its gastronomic heritage is distributed throughout its territory and highlights local products and dishes that are in high demand. Some very specific regions in the production of wines or oils have achieved situations in the sights of tourists specifically interested in gastronomy or food.

Apart from wines and oils, other territories of Catalonia stand out for their products, with designation of origin, which provide added value.