Expert: Identify food trails to create sound masterplan

CEBU, Philippines —  Food tourism expert Erik Wolf told Filipino stakeholders to make serious stride in highlighting gastronomic trails in different destinations in the Philippines, a faster way to recover tourism.

Wolf, founder of the World Food Travel Association, recommended for the Philippines to make a sound masterplan in food tourism, identifying food trails in every destination that highlights culture, heritage and authenticity.

Wolf, who is considered as the world’s leading authority on food and beverage tourism, said travelers visit to a destination to “taste the culture”. Developing the local food is crucial.

“If I visit the Philippines I want to eat (all) Filipino food. I’m not gonna come to the Philippines to eat Italian food (or other cuisines),” he explained.

He also urged tourism authorities and prime movers here, to understand fully the dynamics of food tourism, saying “don’t start straight.”

According to Wolf, a food destination for instance has life cycles, developing this specialized edge needs thorough study and careful planning.

He suggested to build a roadmap for the Philippines’ food tourism, this could include the introduction of credible food and heritage trail, among others.

At a glance, he said the Philippines can easily establish Mango trail, coconut trail and chocolate trail, although there are a lot more to be developed.

It is also important to know the cycle of culinary profiling.

This means that travelers have different preference in food choices, such as vegetarian, gourmet, and social eaters.

Cebu’s lechon (roasted pig), which took the global attention after the late celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain featured Cebu’s Lechon in his “No Reservations” international TV show. Prior to the pandemic, tourism prime movers here were already boosting the promotion of lechon and other Cebuano authentic food for tourists.

In a separate interview with The Department of Tourism (DOT) assistant secretary Arturo Boncato, he said that the Philippine government commits to further put food tourism at the forefront of its marketing campaign through series of exhibitions across the country.

DOT data showed that food spending comprised one-third of the expenditures of travelers. Food is a daily part of travel itineraries.

Wolf, who is a highly sought speaker on food and beverage tourism and has been featured in The New York Times, Newsweek and Forbes, and on CNN, Sky TV, the BBC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, PeterGreenberg.com, was one of the resource speakers during the recently held webinar hosted by DOT.