GASTRONOMIC SYMBOLS OF COUNTRIES AS A POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISM (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE UNESCO LIST)

Abstract

Each country and its people are unique in everything. The manifestation of uniqueness in gastronomy is a source that increases the desire to learn about countries and the traditions of their peoples. Each country has its own gastronomic symbols that distinguish it from other countries. Some of them have already gained worldwide fame and spread beyond national borders. Others, on the contrary, are little known or unknown. There are also those that need to be protected and preserved, as they are part of the intangible heritage of its people. The UNESCO Intangible Heritage List also includes gastronomic symbols. Of course, not everything that countries and their peoples are rich in today is on the List, so it needs to be supplemented to preserve what is available and promote it. Tourism is the best advertisement for gastronomic symbols. When travelling, people have the opportunity to get to know a country, its culture, traditions, etc. through its gastronomic culture. Therefore, promoting it and expanding existing ones and organising new events (festivals, masterclasses, etc.) to learn about it will increase the flow of international tourists. We analysed the UNESCO World Intangible Heritage List. The analysis showed that only 53 countries are represented on the List with elements of gastronomic culture. We divided all gastronomic elements from the UNESCO list into four groups, depending on their characteristics. Those that are little known or unknown beyond national borders require special attention for preservation and promotion. Almost every tourist, when traveling abroad, does not miss the opportunity to experience a country "by taste." And the taste of each country is unique and unforgettable. Dishes, drinks, food products, their preparation methods, and more have long become symbols of the countries where they originated and developed the most. Some of them require protection and recognition. The gastronomic heritage of every nation is rich, but not all of it is known beyond ethnic borders, and some elements need preservation to avoid disappearing forever. A nation's gastronomic culture is one of the markers of its identity. And one of the best ways to explore it is through tourism.