ABSTRACT
Gastronomic festivals and events are about people immersing themselves in real and engaging activities that focus on food and drink as well as other cultural activities. The driver and motivation for the tourist’s experience is the participant’s involvement in the gastronomic experience at festivals and events where the fun, food/beverage, and comfort feed the experience producing emotional and evaluative satisfaction. A typical American gastronomic festival promotion piece designed with a broad appeal aimed at many market segments. Craft beer, boutique wineries, micro-distilleries, and specialty crops/foods are featured at gastronomic festivals. The effect of changes in resources fed by population growth, environmental issues, and demand for food may also drive the future of the gastronomic event industry. The food and beverage focus of events in the future will often flow from regional or local traditional agriculture products, indigenous signature cooking techniques, and specialty local wines, spirits, or beer.
