What is Gastronomy

The relationship between food and tourism is well documented and a subject of increased academic interest. The role of gastronomy for the development of tourism is prominent from economic and socio-cultural perspectives, and there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate the critical role of food festivals, cultural traditions, and local customs from an intangible heritage perspective. Although food tourism has been explored and researched from a wide number of perspectives, its role in the context of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship has largely been neglected. This chapter seeks to address the gap in academic literature focusing on how food tourism can drive community development, stimulate local businesses, and inspire creativity and innovation. The chapter focuses on the development of food tourism and the role of gastronomy within the context of tourism development in Mexico. The results of this study highlight a number of creative and innovative approaches to food tourism and demonstrate the variety and diversity of food-related events in various parts of Mexico.