Innovative Hospitality: Using Food to Strengthen Tourism and Community
Led by Mara Jernigan, this webinar explores how culinary experiences can revolutionize tourism and enhance community engagement in Belize.
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Webinar Summary
Join culinary expert Mara Jernigan in the Belize Tourism Futures series as she explores the transformative power of food in tourism through our session "Innovative Hospitality: Using Food to Strengthen Tourism and Community." Having previously lived in Belize and drawing on over 40 years of international experience, Mara showcases how integrating local culinary practices, sustainability, and the unique hospitality of Belizeans can elevate the travel experience across Belize's diverse regions.
Speaker
Mara Jernigan is a certified chef and tourism/hospitality consultant with over 40 years of experience in culinary tourism development, specializing in sustainability, local food, and cultures. She currently resides on Vancouver Island, where she shares her passion for teaching and cooking while still leading yearly culinary tours to Italy. This webinar is inspired by her time in Belize, from 2011 to 2017, when she worked in Toledo, Placencia, Cayo, and Ambergris Caye.
Key Takeaways
Community Engagement as a Pillar of Sustainability
The webinar illustrates how involving local communities in tourism initiatives not only boosts the local economy but also instills a sense of pride and ownership. This approach can lead to more sustainable tourism practices as community members become active participants in maintaining and promoting their cultural and environmental assets.
Culinary Tourism as an Educational Tool
Mara's approach to using culinary experiences goes beyond just eating; it serves as a platform for education about local agriculture, sustainable practices, and the cultural significance of food. This highlights how culinary tourism can be an immersive way to educate tourists about the region's heritage and ecological efforts.
Economic Diversification Through Local Food Initiatives
The emphasis on local food not only enhances the tourism experience but also supports economic diversification. By sourcing ingredients locally and promoting local food practices, tourism operators can reduce costs, minimize environmental impact, and provide economic benefits directly to the community.
The Role of Storytelling in Enhancing Guest Experience
Storytelling, as used by Mara, is a powerful tool to connect guests with the local culture and history through food. This technique enhances the guest experience by making it more memorable and personal, thereby differentiating it from standard tourist offerings.
Building Long-term Relationships Through Experiential Learning
By involving tourists in activities such as local fishing, cooking their catch, or even participating in sustainable farming practices, operators can create deeper, more meaningful experiences. These experiences not only satisfy tourists' growing desire for authenticity but also build long-term relationships and repeat visitation.
Looking forward
This is the final session of the Crafting Unique & Immersive Experiences series. Starting in June and ending in July, we will discuss topics around Merging Technology and Sustainability in Tourism. The first webinar, Technology in Tourism, will be held on June 19th by Abner Mendoza, who holds a PhD in Computer Engineering from Texas A&M University. See you then!
