Gastronomy as a Strategic Tool for Destination Elevation and Value Creation

Abstract

Gastronomy has increasingly emerged as a critical component of tourism development; however, it is still predominantly positioned as a supporting product rather than a strategic driver of destination competitiveness. This paper argues that gastronomy should be reframed as a systemic and strategic tool for destination elevation and value creation. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature from tourism studies, cultural economics, and place branding, the paper proposes a Gastronomy Value Elevation Framework consisting of four interrelated layers: identity, experience, economy, and system. The framework demonstrates how food culture can enhance destination differentiation, create high-value experiences, strengthen local economies, and support sustainable development. The study integrates theoretical perspectives with applied insights from emerging gastronomy destinations and contributes to the discourse by positioning gastronomy as a measurable and scalable component of destination branding and policy development