Promotion of local food as tourism product in the Cape Coast Metropolis: An explorative research

The increasing interest in unique and authentic travel experiences has contributed to the growth of culinary tourism within the tourism industry. The study uses the cultural exchange theory to explain the important role of culinary experiences and development of culinary tourism. This study seeks to...

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Main Authors: Richmond Yeboah, Diana Ashie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Heliyon
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024169812
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author Richmond Yeboah
Diana Ashie
author_facet Richmond Yeboah
Diana Ashie
author_sort Richmond Yeboah
collection DOAJ
description The increasing interest in unique and authentic travel experiences has contributed to the growth of culinary tourism within the tourism industry. The study uses the cultural exchange theory to explain the important role of culinary experiences and development of culinary tourism. This study seeks to explore how local cuisines could be promoted as part of the tourism offerings of Cape Coast to boost tourism and local economic development. Specifically, the study explores the significance of food tourism to Cape Coast and investigates the role of local food establishments in enhancing the tourism appeal. To achieve the objectives of the study, qualitative research approach/design was adopted. The exploratory study design and purposive sampling technique were adopted for the study. Thirty-one respondents comprising tourists, traditional catering homes and restaurant operators were interviewed using the interview guide. The study found that food establishments, including restaurants, food vendors, and food markets, play a crucial role in enhancing the tourism appeal of Cape Coast. In that, local food serves as a gateway to the local culture and some food enthusiasts visit Cape Coast because of the nice local cuisines served at local food establishments. It is recommended that the Ghana Tourism Authority and tour operators in Cape Coast should make conscious efforts to promote the different and unique Cape Coast cuisines as part of the tourism products to attract tourists who are interested in food offerings.
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spelling doaj-art-7d40cc0ff18544de8184140a4d7fcd7d2025-08-20T01:58:31ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402024-12-011024e4095010.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40950Promotion of local food as tourism product in the Cape Coast Metropolis: An explorative researchRichmond Yeboah0Diana Ashie1Corresponding author.; Department of Tourism Management, Cape Coast Technical University, GhanaDepartment of Tourism Management, Cape Coast Technical University, GhanaThe increasing interest in unique and authentic travel experiences has contributed to the growth of culinary tourism within the tourism industry. The study uses the cultural exchange theory to explain the important role of culinary experiences and development of culinary tourism. This study seeks to explore how local cuisines could be promoted as part of the tourism offerings of Cape Coast to boost tourism and local economic development. Specifically, the study explores the significance of food tourism to Cape Coast and investigates the role of local food establishments in enhancing the tourism appeal. To achieve the objectives of the study, qualitative research approach/design was adopted. The exploratory study design and purposive sampling technique were adopted for the study. Thirty-one respondents comprising tourists, traditional catering homes and restaurant operators were interviewed using the interview guide. The study found that food establishments, including restaurants, food vendors, and food markets, play a crucial role in enhancing the tourism appeal of Cape Coast. In that, local food serves as a gateway to the local culture and some food enthusiasts visit Cape Coast because of the nice local cuisines served at local food establishments. It is recommended that the Ghana Tourism Authority and tour operators in Cape Coast should make conscious efforts to promote the different and unique Cape Coast cuisines as part of the tourism products to attract tourists who are interested in food offerings.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024169812Culinary tourismTourism promotionLocal foodGastronomyCuisinesFood tourism
spellingShingle Richmond Yeboah
Diana Ashie
Promotion of local food as tourism product in the Cape Coast Metropolis: An explorative research
Heliyon
Culinary tourism
Tourism promotion
Local food
Gastronomy
Cuisines
Food tourism
title Promotion of local food as tourism product in the Cape Coast Metropolis: An explorative research
title_full Promotion of local food as tourism product in the Cape Coast Metropolis: An explorative research
title_fullStr Promotion of local food as tourism product in the Cape Coast Metropolis: An explorative research
title_full_unstemmed Promotion of local food as tourism product in the Cape Coast Metropolis: An explorative research
title_short Promotion of local food as tourism product in the Cape Coast Metropolis: An explorative research
title_sort promotion of local food as tourism product in the cape coast metropolis an explorative research
topic Culinary tourism
Tourism promotion
Local food
Gastronomy
Cuisines
Food tourism
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024169812
work_keys_str_mv AT richmondyeboah promotionoflocalfoodastourismproductinthecapecoastmetropolisanexplorativeresearch
AT dianaashie promotionoflocalfoodastourismproductinthecapecoastmetropolisanexplorativeresearch