The role of luxury gastronomy in culinary tourism: An ethnographic study of <scp>Michelin‐Starred</scp> restaurants in France
Wided Batat
Abstract
Abstract This paper investigates the role of Michelin‐starred chefs as change‐makers and advocates of tourism activities in both rural and urban areas. We conducted a longitudinal ethnographic study in 35 French Michelin‐starred restaurants (1, 2, and 3 Michelin stars) in France from 2014 to 2018. Our results show that there are four significant forms of activities implemented by luxury restaurants to enhance destination attractiveness: (a) designing unique luxury gastronomic experience offerings, (b) promoting terroir products and rural food tourism, (c) gastronomization of rural destinations, and (d) augmenting the media capital of the destination.
Topics & Concepts
GastronomyTourismAttractivenessDestinationsEthnographyAdvertisingRural tourismGeographyTerroirTourist destinationsMarketingBusinessTourism geographyArtVisual artsArchaeologyAestheticsWineCulinary Culture and TourismWine Industry and TourismConsumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification