A recent study published in the British Food Journal analyze the role of seafood festivals as potential tourist attractions for local development.
A qualitative exploratory case studies of seafood festivals taking place in coastal regions in Italy and Sweden have been performed using an analytical model and the participatory observation. The analysis shows the close relationship between seafood and tourism, and although it takes variable forms, food is a fundamental lever for maritime and coastal tourism and local development. Findings suggest that local food events can help strengthening gastronomic identities, despite there is a different articulation between tradition and marketing in the two countries. Food events represent a key instrument for the integration of territorial policies in which tourism and food products might be used as strategic instruments for the development of coastal areas.
