GASTRONOMIC TOURISM AS A POPULAR DIRECTION IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

Abstract

The article is devoted to investigation of the popularity and prospects of the development of gastronomic tourism both in the whole world and in Ukraine. The directions of gastronomic tours are given and described, namely: rural tour, restaurant tour, educational tour, ecological tour, event tour and combined tour. The difference between the concepts of «cookery» and «gastronomy» is clarified, the latter term being broader. The process of formation of the local gastronomic brand, it’s components and influence on the socio-economic development of the territorial community is defined. It is indicated that for the development of a gastronomic brand, the development of a general concept, which will provide an opportunity to get acquainted with the culinary resources of a tourist destination, is relevant. The foreign experience of introducing gastronomy to the composition of the tourist product was studied. Types of gastronomic tourism are considered, which allows the segmentation of the tourist market. The culinary and cultural determinants of the evolution of the gastronomic features of the regions of Ukraine were studied. Popular international gastronomic tourism destinations were analyzed and the growth rate of tourist flows in the most popular gastronomic tourism countries was determined. The basic component of the gastronomic brand of the tourist destination of Ukraine – Podillia, namely Vinnytsia, based on the local product – cherries, has been determined. The uniqueness of the gastronomy of all regions of Ukraine and their attractiveness in the tourist sphere have been studied. The classification of gastronomic brands of the regions of Ukraine is based on the product principle. The main elements of gastronomic tourism, which are the basis of the concept of this type of tourism, are characterized. The methods of increasing the volume of gastronomic tourism in Ukraine have been studied. The centers of world gastronomic tourism were considered: France, Italy, Japan. Urban and rural gastronomic tours, their features are considered. The study of the International Tourist Culinary Association on the determination of the readiness of the countries of the world to receive gastronomic tourists was analyzed. Distinguishing features and specific rules that should be followed in a gastronomic tour are defined.