Work

Links between food tourism and the local economy: A systematic literature review

Year: 2025

Type: review

Abstract: Purpose This research aims to examine the current literature on food tourism and its correlation with the local economy to ascertain its effects on destination economic development, identify significant gaps in the literature, and propose new areas of inquiry. Design.methodology.approach A systematic literature review was conducted to identify, select, synthesise, and evaluate the existing literature. A bibliometric analysis was also performed using Wosviewer Software to examine the correlation among the selected papers' titles, abstracts, and content. Findings Food tourism has emerged as a significant economic mechanism that supports sustainable local economies by implementing policies that promote local production and consumption, thereby contributing to the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Research.limitations.implications Some gaps in the literature include the scarcity of systematic literature reviews on the influence of food tourism on the area's economy and the absence of research on consumers' willingness to pay for local products. Originality.value To the best of our knowledge, this research is the first systematic literature review to rigorously examine the nexus between gastronomic tourism and local economic dynamics. By synthesising existing research and mapping the intellectual landscape of this emerging field, the study reveals its early-stage maturity. It underscores its growing relevance in the context of sustainable development. Furthermore, the study proposes novel hypotheses and outlines future research directions aimed at strengthening the theoretical and empirical foundations of food tourism as a driver of inclusive local development.

Source: Sustainable Futures

DOI: 10.1016/j.sftr.2025.100959

Authors: Marianys Fernández, Ana Irimia-Diéguez

Institution: Universidad de Sevilla

Language: English

Topic: Culinary Culture and Tourism

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,340