Introduction

Understanding the linkages between Goal 2 and tourism requires reflections on issues that relate to food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture. The actions of every individual on the planet reflect the state of being, the common core values of a community.The African philosophy Ubuntu “I am because we are” is like the umbilical cord of people wanting to connect to other people. The choices one makes and the mindful encounters in the way people travel make a big impact. Travel and food means people and land. The way people eat reflects a way of life that translates to systems of economy and food pro- duction. Stakeholders in tourism need to understand the core values of people and agriculture to address issues related to food which are felt by the people in travel destinations.

Food is a major part of the tourism experience. The World Food Tourism Association notes that “only 8.1 percent of all foodies self-identify with the “gourmet” label” (Petrak and Beckmann, 2015). Often the most interesting culinary experiences come from a variety of social and economic backgrounds.

Culinary tourism is especially appealing in rural areas. These areas are close to food sources and often have preserved local traditions. Rural food tourism locations that are most successful have found ways to protect their food ecology and offer interesting meals at reasonable prices.

Increasing demand for traditional food

Tourism can play a role in increasing the demand for traditional food. A story featured in Green Destinations cited best practices in Europe which put Ljubljana on the world map. Ljubljana became a brand with a strong following for gastronomic tourism that awakened the pride of the local people and its local authentic cuisine. A new product created a movement that generated local pride and identity with responsible practice.

Tourism impacts

Tourism as a prime economic-generating activity has a trade off. Mass tourism practice entails losses in the name of profit. While people earn from tourism, it has also affected the preoccupation they played in the community as providers and role models. In many cases, fishermen who used to catch fish to support the whole community decided to become tour guides or taxi drivers. As a consequence, the community lost food providers who chose to get paid for their tourist services instead. Instead of producing their own food, communities have to obtain food from other sources.