Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the modern food trail can still be a walking tour, but it can also be on a bike,
car, coach, train or boat.
When one researches food trails on the Internet, the discovery is that al-
most every region of the world has a food trail that can be explored.
A food trail means the region can build the reputation of the location as a
source of quality food, plus provide a complete package to tourists and pro-
mote both accommodation and visits to local food destinations.
Today's tourist and consumers do not want to travel long distances to
visit one venue in that location; tourists want to discover a number of dif-
ferent locations in one area and this is why food trails are growing in popu-
larity. A food trail should promote a specific region and the food offer within
that region.
To be successful, there are a number of important elements that need to
be in place on a food trail.
Cooperating producers with the same goal
A group of growers and added value food operators need to agree to co-
operate and have the same goal before a trail can be developed. Experience
shows that this is easy to say and more difficult to implement. All participants
need to have similar values and believe in the opportunities in the region.
The first stage is to get all interested stakeholders to meet to discuss the
opportunities and to define what is unique about the region. If there is an
overlap in what people produce this is not a problem, there are very suc-
cessful trails that focus on wine or whisky and even lavender, so a multiple
of growers doing the same thing can be an asset to the venture.
The distance between sites on the food trail needs to be discussed.
Having them too close together means that it is not a trail in the true sense,
but have the venues too far apart and visitors will get disillusioned and leave
the trail. Ideally the consumer travelling by car should be able to reach at
least three venues in a day.
Once the primary stakeholders are committed then include the broader
stakeholder community. This could include:
•
Regional tourism organizations;
•
Development commissions;
•
Wine Industry Association;
•
Tourism councils and associations;
•
Department of Agriculture;
•
Department of Fisheries;
•
Department of Transport;
•
Restaurant associations;
•
Local authorities;
•
Local Chambers of Commerce;
•
Events organizations; and
•
Key businesses and industry representatives.
