Food Tourism Reviewed Using the Paradigm Funnel Approach

The number of articles studying food and its use as a tourism resource has grown rapidly in recent years. This article provides a review of the articles examining one of the major themes found in this literature: the marketing of food as an attraction to tourists. A systematic review of the food-tourism literature identified 48 relevant journal articles in eight journals. These articles are discussed based on their research topic, focus (demand or supply-side), methodology, and their academic contribution using paradigm funnel approach. The selected 48 articles focus mainly on Level 2 and 3 of the paradigm funnel. Results indicate that future research would benefit from use of new theoretical approaches as well as further exploration of the decision making process of tourists with an interest in food.