Search

In parallel with the growth and popularity of food tourism, the increase in food-specific events and festivals has been significant. Events have become an important element of the experience economy; often their economic and social benefits have been related to improvements in the quality of life for communities and regions. Food festivals provide an opportunity for event goers to socialize, as by their nature they bring people together. However, how do we future proof the success of such events? Adopting a practice theory position and a pragmatism paradigm, this article investigates the future of food festivals using a case study of Wellington on a Plate (WOAP), which is New Zealand's most successful food festival, operated by the Wellington Culinary Events Trust (WCET). In line with scenario planning research methods, 12 "remarkable persons" were interviewed to identify 22 megadrivers of change, including mobility, redefining luxury, technological immersion, social capital, social demography changes, and accessibility. Adapting Yeoman's conceptual framework of food tourism drivers for food festivals and linking to these megadrivers of change, a conceptual framework was derived that considers five factors of success:Food festivals as political capital; Food festivals as a visionary state; Sense of community; The drive for affluence and exclusivity; andFluid identity and foodies.The development of this conceptual framework, which links success to the external environment, contributes to the future proofing of food festivals.

This research investigates distribution channels as a critical business mechanism for community-based tourism (CBT) by connecting CBT projects with the market. Specifically, it examines the distribution channels structure of a culture & heritage focused CBT project in Cambodia, explores the key influencing factors behind the observed structure, and develops recommendations for improved economic sustainability. The paper is informed by 21 interviews which were conducted with respondents from Banteay Chhmar CBT, key private sector businesses, NGOs, local and central government, and CBT experts. The examination of the distribution channel structure reveals considerable channel diversity which sees both direct and a variety of indirect channels included in the distribution mix. Due to the community-guided nature of the CBT project, intermediaries had a very strong presence in the distribution structure and maintained both direct and multi-layered indirect channels with consumers. Five factors were identified to underlie the observed distribution structure: commissionable product, product characteristics and market access, information and communication technology, partnership issues, and community capacity. Based on these findings a range of recommendations are proposed that seek to improve the distribution channels related economic sustainability of the CBT project.

This research investigates distribution channels as a critical business mechanism for community-based tourism (CBT) by connecting CBT enterprises to the market. Specifically, the paper is guided by the research question of how the paths to the market can be improved for a culture and heritage-focused CBT enterprise in Cambodia. In addressing this question, the paper explores both the distribution channels structure and the key influencing factors behind the observed structure. The paper is informed by 21 interviews which were conducted with respondents from Banteay Chhmar CBT, key intermediaries, non-governmental organisations, local and central government, and CBT experts. The examination of the distribution channel structure reveals considerable channel diversity, which sees both direct and a variety of indirect channels included in the distribution mix. Due to the community-guided nature of the CBT project, intermediaries had a very strong presence in the distribution structure and maintained both direct and multi-layered indirect channels with consumers. Five factors were identified to underlie the observed distribution structure: commissionable product, product characteristics and market access, information and communication technology, partnership issues, and community capacity. Based on these findings, a range of recommendations are proposed that seek to improve the distribution-channels-related economic sustainability of the CBT project.