The Tourism Infrastructure: Restaurants and Bars

From an Economic Developer’s point of view, Restaurants and bars are, without a doubt, the single most important attraction for tourism. Some may argue that hotels are more important, but I disagree. I mean, I agree that they’re important, but not as an attraction. Lodging is an amenity, not an attraction.

Let’s face it, if people are going to travel somewhere, they will eventually need to eat. So, a good variety of establishments is the cornerstone of any tourism program. It serves both as a necessity for nourishment and as a shining example of cultural identity and sense of place.

The pursuit of food by humans includes such a huge variety of physical, mental, emotional, social, historic, economic, cultural, and even spiritual aspects that there is no way to list them all. There are tourists who are interested in all aspects of the food itself, including locating and purchasing ingredients, preparation, preservation, presentation, consumption and clean-up.

Food serves as an attraction, setting, and centerpiece for tourists. Think about regional food and how it becomes associated – and, in many cases, synonymous – with the area where it is popular. When you hear about Cajun shrimp, gumbo and jambalaya, chances are great that you automatically think about Louisiana. When you hear about Fajitas and salsa, you probably picture the southwest. When someone mentions grits, you think about the south. Lobster Rolls? Maine. When people travel, they want the whole experience of the visited culture. The sights, the sounds and the tastes.

The preparation, consumption, and even the viewing of a foreign dish can provide a sense of place for the tourist. Food has the ability of telling the story of people and region, including history, religion, artistic traditions, customs and socio-economic conditions. It serves as a vehicle in which the visitor can experience and understand another culture on a very personal level.

If consuming food is a way for many people to experience the local culture, then consuming a beer or a cocktail with the local people is another.

Local bars and pubs provide great insight into the living culture in the area. Normally, when visiting another place, the tourism isn’t afforded the opportunity to hang out with the local doctors, lawyers, plumbers, auto mechanics, lumberjacks, fishermen, or other citizens during their day at work. Likewise, the tourist isn’t normally invited to the homes of these local citizens either. But, a local bar or tavern serves as the great equalizer. Locals and tourists are generally welcome to come in, hang out, throw darts, shoot pool, watch a game on TV and unwind.

Do not underestimate this power. Business and leisure travelers seek this experience out. It is important.