ELEVATING THE GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE THROUGH PERSONALIZATION, STORYTELLING, AND MEMORY CONSERVATION ON FOOD TOURS BUSINESS
Keywords:
food tours, gastronomic tourism, Greek cuisine, culinary experience, entrepreneurial perspective, authenticity, local gastronomy, local agri-food sector, tourism promotion, contact with localsAbstract
The emergence of food tours as a form of gastronomic tourism has been on the rise in recent years,
yet Greek food tours have not been widely explored from an entrepreneurial perspective. This paper explores
the profile of companies that offer food tours, the characteristics of food tours, and the factors that need
consideration when planning a tour for creating a culinary experience. Data was collected from a
questionnaire sent to 35 gastronomic tour entrepreneurs in Greek cities with populations above 50,000, with
businesses in operation for over three years. Results showed that food tours in Greece are small in size,
usually 1-3 employees, with more activity during the summer months. The authenticity of local gastronomy
and contact with locals is key to creating an unforgettable experience. The findings highlight the importance
and potential of food tours in gastronomic tourism and suggest that the promotion of gastronomic tourism in
Greece through food tours can generate synergies with the local agri-food sector by providing unique culinary
experiences for tourists, while supporting local authorities in designing an appealing gastronomic profile of
the destination.
