An integrated methodology for food tourism strategies in rural areas

The chapter “An Integrated Methodology for Food Tourism Strategies in Rural Areas” presents a comprehensive and participatory approach for designing and implementing territorial development strategies centered on food tourism. It integrates qualitative methods—such as SWOT analysis, focus groups, and literature review—to identify barriers and define enabling actions for sustainable and inclusive growth. The methodology stresses the importance of stakeholder engagement, acknowledging their collective knowledge and collaboration as crucial for formulating effective, context-specific tourism policies. Developed as a university-level educational case study, the proposed framework guides students through a simulated process of territorial strategy design. Through experiential learning activities, participants analyze development barriers, conduct role-playing focus groups, and co-create strategies to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of rural destinations. Using the Gargano area in Southern Italy as an applied example, the case demonstrates how food tourism can serve as a catalyst for de-seasonalizing tourist flows, revitalizing inland communities, and promoting economic diversification while preserving environmental and cultural heritage. The case study contributes to tourism and rural development education by providing a replicable methodological model aligned with European principles of participatory and sustainable regional planning. It highlights the value of experiential, stakeholder-driven learning in preparing future professionals to design effective and inclusive territorial strategies.