Insight from Insiders: A Phenomenological Study for Exploring Food Tourism Policy in Ireland 2009-2019

Year 2019, , 188 - 215, 16.12.2019

Ketty Quigley Margaret Connolly Elaine Mahon Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire

https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.574519

Cited By: 4

Abstract

This paper focuses on how the phenomenon of food
tourism developed in Ireland between 2009 and 2019. Employing a
phenomenological epistemology, a qualitative methodology was adopted to explore
key stakeholder’s lived experience of the Irish government’s approach to food
tourism, identifying the primary drivers and key moments during the ten-year
period. Extant literature was reviewed and critically evaluated. Using
purposive sampling, and employing an emic posture, ten semi-structured
interviews were conducted with senior governmental and tourism industry figures
until saturation occurred. The findings highlight the influence that key policy
makers, the formation of networks, clusters, and the role social entrepreneurs
had on developing food tourism in Ireland. The influence of the economic
downturn in 2008 was a force for change and creativity among both government
agencies and the broader tourism and hospitality industry. Food tourism policy
was aligned with broader government policy, the creation of regional tourism
brands (Wild Atlantic Way etc.), linking gastronomy with cultural and other
tourism initiatives and marketing strategies. Whereas food in tourism in
Ireland is well established, only ten per cent of overseas visitors are
travelling specifically for food experiences.

Keywords

Gastronomy, Food Tourism, Food Networks, Food Champions, Tourism Policy, Social Entrepreneurs

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the interviewees for their time, and to colleagues in TU Dublin who have read and commented on early versions of the text.

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