Comprehensive Gastronomy Tourism Project at Chanthaburi
Tourism is a significant service sector in the Thai economy, playing a crucial role in its economic system. The tourism industry in Thailand has shown continuous growth and is considered a vital driver of the country’s economy. Tourism patterns have evolved, with travellers seeking new and unique experiences, often rooted in the distinctive cultural characteristics of each region. Local cuisine is a powerful expression of regional culture and plays a vital role in shaping the identity of tourist destinations. Food reflects local customs, lifestyles, uniqueness, demographics, sustainability, and experiences. Therefore, food is a critical tourism component that can attract and captivate travellers. Thai cuisine, with its distinctiveness influenced by diverse cultures and local ingredients, offers various flavours reflecting each region’s uniqueness.
The uniqueness of Thai food creates a distinctive taste that appeals to local and international tourists. The diversity of Thai cuisine, influenced by regional cultures and ingredients, results in different and unique flavours. This culinary distinctiveness has led to a growing interest in culinary tourism, where travellers embark on journeys primarily to experience and enjoy local cuisines (Gastronomy Tourism).
Chanthaburi Province has significant tourist attractions, including ecological tourism sites, art and cultural tourism sites, historical tourism sites, natural tourism sites, recreational tourism sites, and cultural tourism sites. Additionally, Chanthaburi is renowned as a fruit city, with agricultural communities reflecting traditional village farming practices and various cultural wisdom. Therefore, to stimulate and promote culinary tourism, Chanthaburi Province, with its natural resources and authentic cuisine, is suitable for gastronomy tourism projects.
This project has been conducted since January 2023 until now. These initiatives aim to boost food tourism in the province and distribute income to farmers, small-scale industries, and the local population. This will result in generating income in the area, reducing disparity, and enhancing the economic structure of rural areas.
This project provides both theoretical and practical knowledge to the communities of Chanthaburi Province to build foundational knowledge in various aspects of livelihood, leading to career development and the provision of basic services to the community. It aims to support local residents according to their needs and help requests, thereby enhancing competitiveness and driving income, economic, and social development in the country, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project is expected to elevate and sustain career opportunities and competitiveness in the province, particularly in the areas of food, tourism, and health. It will create sustainable value for various businesses, promote local products and tourism, and raise awareness about individual livelihood planning and career paths. Additionally, it supports community-based tourism in Chanthaburi, which will strengthen the local economy and ensure stability amid the economic challenges following the COVID-19 impact.
We have developed a dedicated website for this project to share stories and activities that we are undertaking since 2023 until now.
You can visit it at https://chanthaburigastronomy.com.
Project Leaders: Asst. Prof. Dr. Vasin Yuvanatemiya and Dr. Patcharee Preepremmote,
Faculty of Science and Arts