The Potential of Destination Websites to Link Tourism to Local Food in Vanuatu

Type Working Paper
Title The Potential of Destination Websites to Link Tourism to Local Food in Vanuatu
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
URL http://agrilifecdn.tamu.edu/ertr/files/2014/02/enter2014_RN_137.pdf
Abstract
The Internet plays a significant role in the development of a sustainable tourism industry and can enhance the consumption of local food in developing countries. As the Internet becomes a major tool for visitors to search for experiences, destinations design their websites to successfully reach the elusive tourist. The purpose of this research is to explore the role of destination websites in enhancing the use of local food in the tourism industry in Vanuatu. Content and discourse analyses are used to ascertain the extent to which local food is promoted on destination websites. The study highlights that the potential of destination websites to link tourism to local food is not being maximised. A lack of images, written descriptions and hyperlinks on the websites to enhance relevant food information leads the destination to miss opportunities to showcase the food culture of the country and increase visitor’s expenditure.

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