[Type here] [Type here] Impact of food tourism on regional food systems Culture influences the local food consumption patterns. Tourists have changed from visiting museums and historical sites to more food. Most countries have been known to use food as a product for tourism attraction. Consequently, the political systems in these food destination countries favor the high yielding tourists who are able to bring wealth to the local economies (Yeoman & Meethan, 2015). Therefore food tourism offers an authentic experience to a local or regional brand. Issues such as culture, socio demographic characteristics, the past experiences with the local food cuisines and their food personality traits define the consumption patterns of the local food industries. Therefore destination tourism defines the habits, food production systems and output capacity of local economies. Impacts on the domestic food system of Australia Food tourism is crucial for the development of local economies as competitive tourist destinations. Food tourism has a multiplier effect to the growth of the regional agricultural sectors and food industries. The primary and secondary producers in the food tourism sector include the agricultural sectors, food festivals, restaurants and food tasting locations. Therefore investments in large scale farming arise as a consequence of these changing migration patterns. For example, a farmers market in a food tourist destination site can act as a retail outlet and a tourist attraction site. This can offer an authentic alternative to the bland and tasteless food items found in the local food retail outlets (Ellis, Park, Kim & Yeoman, 2018, 257). Therefore there is an art and a science involved in food tourism and hospitality industries. Agri-tourism in Australia has been found to provide the local markets with organic food, wine and fiber. A majority of the small scale Australian farmers produce food for display at the farmer markets. The large farmers on the other hand specialize in wine production that is often expanded by including a chalet into the vineyard (Ecker et al., 2010, 20). Australia is composed of 10 regional agri-tourism hubs. These include the south western parts of Australia, the eastern Gippslands, Tamar valley, the Northern Rivers and the tropical northern Queensland regions among others. These regional food zones are characterized by common features such as tourist accommodation sites, infrastructure and accessibility to urban centers. This includes farm based bed and breakfast hotels. How food systems affect the tourism behavior The desire to satisfy the state of local cousins has drawn travellers into remote parts of the globe. Food tourism therefore brings people together including political organizations, international tourists, local communities to become part of a regional cultural identity. To these social groupings food becomes the center of socialization which is enhanced by a sharing of personal identities, enr.

1. [Type here]
[Type here]
Impact of food tourism on regional food systems
Culture influences the local food consumption patterns. Tourists
have changed from visiting museums and historical sites to
more food. Most countries have been known to use food as a
product for tourism attraction. Consequently, the political
systems in these food destination countries favor the high
yielding tourists who are able to bring wealth to the local
economies (Yeoman & Meethan, 2015). Therefore food tourism
offers an authentic experience to a local or regional brand.
Issues such as culture, socio demographic characteristics, the
past experiences with the local food cuisines and their food
personality traits define the consumption patterns of the local
food industries. Therefore destination tourism defines the
habits, food production systems and output capacity of local
economies.
Impacts on the domestic food system of Australia
Food tourism is crucial for the development of local economies
as competitive tourist destinations. Food tourism has a
multiplier effect to the growth of the regional agricultural
sectors and food industries. The primary and secondary
producers in the food tourism sector include the agricultural
sectors, food festivals, restaurants and food tasting locations.
Therefore investments in large scale farming arise as a
consequence of these changing migration patterns. For example,
a farmers market in a food tourist destination site can act as a
retail outlet and a tourist attraction site. This can offer an
authentic alternative to the bland and tasteless food items found
in the local food retail outlets (Ellis, Park, Kim & Yeoman,
2018, 257). Therefore there is an art and a science involved in

2. food tourism and hospitality industries.
Agri-tourism in Australia has been found to provide the local
markets with organic food, wine and fiber. A majority of the
small scale Australian farmers produce food for display at the
farmer markets. The large farmers on the other hand specialize
in wine production that is often expanded by including a chalet
into the vineyard (Ecker et al., 2010, 20). Australia is composed
of 10 regional agri-tourism hubs. These include the south
western parts of Australia, the eastern Gippslands, Tamar
valley, the Northern Rivers and the tropical northern
Queensland regions among others. These regional food zones
are characterized by common features such as tourist
accommodation sites, infrastructure and accessibility to urban
centers. This includes farm based bed and breakfast hotels.
How food systems affect the tourism behavior
The desire to satisfy the state of local cousins has drawn
travellers into remote parts of the globe. Food tourism therefore
brings people together including political organizations,
international tourists, local communities to become part of a
regional cultural identity. To these social groupings food
becomes the center of socialization which is enhanced by a
sharing of personal identities, enriching experiences and long
term friendships. Some of the lifestyles promoted by these rural
settings include agricultural lifestyles and food based
experiences. Examples include wine tours, horse riding, food
festivals and rural culture among other farm based recreational
activities (Ecker et al., 2010, 20). The farmers in these regions
use farm level business models to generate income from local
tourism.
This includes offering recreational activities within their farms
like nature watching and educational tourist packages. These
farm based experiences creates the additional benefit of offering
an authentic experience to food tourists. This includes
knowledge acquisition on wine production techniques, a
connection with the local community of growers and the hands
on experience of picking the farm berries. Food festivals have

3. become a crucial part of destination food tourism. The United
Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) published a
global report on food tourism that highlights a growing global
trend towards tourist festivals and events. Some of the common
terms used in this form of food tourism include gourmet
tourism, culinary and tasting tourism among others (Ellis, Park,
Kim & Yeoman, 2018, 252). Some of the food festivals in
Australia include farm days that are composed of more than 500
farmers (Ecker et al., 2010, 29). These farmers promote and
educate visitors about the local food production systems.
Role of Biotechnology in food system of Australia
The risks posed by these local food consumption experiences
can inhibit the growth of the local food production systems.
Issues such as climate changes have been found to influence the
uptake of Agri-tourism within the region. This has forced the
farm owners to diversify their income portfolio to include a
variety of income generating activities within the farm. Extreme
weather changes such as drought and cyclones have been known
to deter visitors during certain seasons. The effect of too much
heat on the crops often leads to crop losses for farmers. This
forces the farmers to find alternative shading and irrigation
systems to keep their farms running during the drought seasons.
Frequent wild fires during the summer periods also keep tourists
away.
The use of biotechnology within the food industry enhances the
shelf life, nutritional capacity and taste of the foods produced in
Australia. These biotechnologies have been instrumental in
meeting food productions during drought seasons and the
development of commercially viable food varieties. Australia
has implemented various non-GM biotechnologies within the
agricultural supply chain. New strains of yeast have been
discovered for fermenting uniquely flavored wine beverages.
For example, livestock breeders are able to obtain genetic
information and breeding stock that will earn them more money
and mature quickly. Some of the common plant genetic
materials already being harnessed include disease resistant

4. strawberries that have superior flavors and early flowering
characteristics. Other examples include the use of DNA
harnessing to develop a smut resistant sugar cane variety
(Thorburn & Parbeen, 2007, 2). However the civil society
groups have shown concern over the continued use of
genetically modified foods within the Australian food
production systems (Scrinis & Lyons, 2007). Friends of the
earth Australia has called for the regulation of this industry
Emerging trends & market drivers
The key driver to the Australian that promotes agri-tourism
business includes effective marketing approaches, development
of tour networks, clustering of businesses and integrated
support systems. Australia utilizes the regional agri-tourism
marketing strategy to promote the country as a food destination.
This includes allowing tourists to visit farms and food
businesses such as farmer markets and restaurants as natural
attraction sites. Other than that these food sites offer
educational opportunities for visitors including engaging and
enjoyable events. The wine tourism conference that was held in
Australia in 1998 opened more avenues for new forms of wine
tourism (Getz & Brown, 2006, 147). The places that produce
favorite wine brands such as Bordeaux have become exciting
and magical to visit.
The Australian government has implemented various marketing
and branding campaigns to promote the rural agri-tourism
sector. This includes the use of online platforms for promoting
tourist itinerary plans. The use of interactive maps as well as
farm related events and activities. However, these marketing
messages focus more on the wine producing regions than the
agricultural parts of rural Australia. Therefore Australia has
been marketed more as a wine producing country (Getz &
Brown, 2006, 148). Australia has been branded as a destination
for wine tourists through distinctive geographical features that
gives it a natural appeal. These biased marketing messages
have led to the economic development of certain geographical
regions in Australia while neglecting the crucial food

5. production sectors. These Australian farms are marketed
through a network of 1,200 farmers called WWOOFs (Willing
Workers on Organic Farms) (Ecker, et al., 2010, 30).These
organized farmer network information systems have been
instrumental in attracting both local and international Agri-
tourists.
Australia is composed of industry clusters of businesses that
sell products within and outside the region. These companies
supply raw materials and services to the tourism sector. These
firms are able to harness their large numbers to negotiate for
better markets for their products. An example of this food
cluster is the Australian wine industry. These independent firms
work together to drive better prices while exporting their wine
products and technological know-how into the international
markets. These family owned farms are reinforced by family
networks (Hall, 2005). Agri-tourism has become a crucial part
of Australia’s rural economy. The co-ordinated regional
approach to managing Agri-tourism has helped grow the
individual businesses within the rural areas. The changing land
values within the region have also contributed to a high demand
for productive land around the urban centers that experiences a
higher demand for visitors (Ecker, et al., 2010, 21). The farm
owners who buy into these lands are able to venture into
tourism in order to pay off the large capital investments used to
acquire the property.
Organizations that impact the food system
The farmers who glean value from the Agri-tourism supply
chain have learnt how to market and sell products to the tourism
market. This includes food, wine and fiber producers. Many of
the primary producers sell their produce directly to restaurants
through a global food distribution channel. The benefits of
using these official channels include closer connections with
customers and improved earnings. However, other farmers open
their businesses to the public by selling their fresh produce
using farm gate licenses. These farmers sell direct to their

6. customers and are therefore able to make three times the mount
they would make through the wholesale marketing channels.
The benefit of this system comes when the farmer is able to
reduce some of the distribution costs therefore receiving a
higher profit margin for their produce (Ecker, et al., 2010, 33).
The pick your own model on the other hand favors the customer
by offering discounted prices for picking their own food
products from the farm. The local restaurants, manufacturing
industries, farmers markets and stay in hotels generate the
demand for these local produce.
Impacts on the global food system
Globalization has contributed to the demand and supply of local
culinary cultures. This refers to the consumption preferences of
tourists within their chosen destination countries. The salient
factors that influence the local food consumption patterns are
the obligatory aspect of food tourism. This includes neophobic
and neophilic tendencies of tourists (Mak, Lumbers & Eves,
2012). Neophobia includes a fear or resistance to new food
palates. Neophilia on the other hand deals with the adventure,
openness, over experimentation and exploration of a variety of
foods within a tourist destination site (Mak, Lumbers & Eves,
2012). The segment of tourists who show an enthusiasm to
sample local food cuisines have been considered to be a crucial
element to food tourism. These tourists support the local tourist
experience during peak periods.
Australia has emerged as a globalized economy with a large
fusion of cuisines, ingredients and taste. These gastronomic
food offerings have emerged as a result of international
influences of migration from European and Asian countries
(Mak, Lumbers & Eves, 2012, 17). The local food consumption
patterns are not static variables and continue to evolve
depending with changing times and external stimuli. Therefore
it is difficult to define what an authentic food culture is
depending on changing cultural beliefs and norms. Australia
uses regional product codes and certifications to ensure the
foods remain authentic to the location they were produced.

7. Hawkesbury harvest is an example of a label that identifies
genuine food products produced from Australia. These sorts of
labels also includes environmental labels for easy identification
of the regions they are produced. The Yara valley regional food
group also uses the same strategy to market food produce such
as wine that comes from the Yara valley in Australia (Ecker et
al.,2010, 29). However, the brands that market a very wide set
of products fail to achieve brand recognition.
Policies to guide globalization
Globalization has transformed local food consumption patterns
and production systems. Food tourism has been one of the
major influencers to these changing consumption patterns. Food
tourism has become a means of socializing people around
different cultural lifestyles. The tourist’s food choices and
preferences is a crucial driving force for the local food demand
and agricultural production systems. This includes the volumes
of food imported for tourists. Government can use food tourism
to develop the infrastructure and economies of rural
communities (Tikkanen, 2007, 728). Therefore creating
incentives to grow rural agrarian economies that support the
food tourists can help generate more employment opportunities
within the local small scale farmers.
Food tourism has become an extremely competitive market
segment with rival destinations marketing to entice more
visitors. Therefore local tourist destination sites should find a
unique way of marketing their destination offering. The local
governments should also limit the amount of food imports into
their local economies to support food tourism. This can lead to
the loss of economic opportunities that food tourism provides to
local economies and agricultural sectors (Henderson, 2009,
321). Therefore strengthening the food supply chain in food
destination sites is crucial in meeting the capacity of meeting
the food demand during peak seasons. These policies might
work to reduce food waste within the supply chain and long
distance transportation of food items.
Advertising an image of an accommodating cosmopolitan

8. destination includes the use of familiar food offerings in tandem
with marketing the local cuisines. A suitable food marketing
strategy would be to combine local cuisines with non-food
tourist attraction products such as exotic buildings as suitable
food and wine tasting fairs (Henderson, 2009, 321). The bad
publicity that surrounds local food networks such as food
poisoning can be managed through a comprehensive training
and education of a skilled workforce. This marketing strategy
will reduce the amount of disappointments food tourists face
due to bad service and the serving of underwhelming food
(Henderson, 2009, 322). Consequently making food tourism part
of a lifestyle that visitors want to experience is likely to attract
more tourists.
Managerial decisions of food system
There is a huge link between local food systems and the
country’s social capital, political good will and cultural
connections. Issues of interest include local food production
techniques, food storage hygiene practices and food legislation
policies. These countries invest in sustainable programs to deal
with challenges local agricultural challenges such as large scale
production of organic food items and management of the effects
of global warming. There are limited strategic resources
directed towards the agri-tourism sectors in Australia (Ecker et
al., 2010). There is limited institutional support from the local
and national Australian governments. Some of the legal and
regulatory barriers within the agri-tourism business include
getting building approvals, land protection clearance and
getting approvals for building codes.
Some of these approvals have been noted to be more suitable for
urban than rural setting environments. This includes the
protection of rural agricultural lands from rapid urbanization
that would lead to a declining food production system. Th
restrictions surrounding agricultural land has made it difficult
for some farm owners to benefit from the local tourism
industries. The conservative nature of the countryside is
presenting small businesses with restrictions on food safety

9. standards, liquor licensing and business signage (Ecker et al.,
2010, 23). An example includes the restrictions on using
chlorinated rain water to supply local hotels with clean drinking
water. In addition to that farmers are not licensed to sell
produce what they have grown on their farms or crops grown
from other farms. These food restrictions ensure that farms sell
authentic produce unique to their regions and climatic weather.
References
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Binks, B. (2010). Drivers of regional agritourism and food
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Agricultural and Resource Economics–Bureau of Rural
Sciences.
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tourism?. Tourism Management, 68, 250-263.
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