Lynn University's presentation titled "Best Practices in Culinary Tourism Development" informs us that culinary tourism is not a new practice, though some people view it as a more recent development within the world of travel. Instead, it tells us that "dining is consistently one of the top three favorite tourist activities" and that local cuisine is in the primary motivating factor in choosing a travel destination. The European landscape offers several types of cuisine to sample in relatively close proximity to one another.
The European Network of Regional Culinary Heritage is a source of information for tourists of European cuisine and for regions looking to boost their involvement in culinary tourism. The International Culinary Tourism Institute also provides support and resources to destinations and groups seeking to promote culinary tourism in Europe and around the world. Its FoodTrekker Publishing imprint provides literature regarding promotional assistance for those wishing to get involved with culinary tourism.
Numerous travel agencies and tourist groups have established European tours specifically designed to help culinary tourists get a taste of the continent. Travelers can choose from group tours to smaller party sizes, focusing on a single country or searching for a sampling of the wide range of epicurean delights available in Europe. Travel independently or with a local guide to show you the best spots for food and drink. You can even choose to focus on a particular type of food, as some gastronomic travelers do with wine or chocolate.
As the article "Culinary Tourism" points out, many Europe travelers don't even realize they are participating in culinary tourism because gastronomic delights and travel often complement each other in Europe. Bordeaux in France sees culinary tourists interested in wine, while Germany during October draws those attracted to beer. France, Italy and Spain are renowned for their food and drink, which makes their popularity as culinary destinations unsurprising.
Countries throughout Europe are vying for the patronage of culinary travelers. Several travel packages, for instance, focus on Eastern European culinary tours, while the European Network of Regional Culinary Heritage has a large Scandinavian membership. Turkey, as part of the European continent, offers exotic tastes originating in Middle Eastern cuisine.
