Whilst destination dining has been relatively new in the Maldives, the Guesthouse Association of Maldives (GAM) has announced plans to introduce 'Culinary Tourism' among the guesthouse members across the Maldives. What other ways could we have our visitors to appreciate and indulge in food that reflects the local cuisine, heritage and culture?

When we started off the guesthouse, we sold packages to Italian market where we had activities bundled in. One of them was lunch with a local family. It was very stressful, but the supplier was not consistent. So, we ended business with that operator and we moved to an Ala carte menu, but we didn't see a demand from the market. However, we still have local dishes on the menu and I think it's a good idea and needs to be marketed.

Food has always been a component of tourism but it is only recently that it has been truly recognized for the significant part it plays in the overall experience of a destination. Today's tourist is better informed, more cultured, well travelled and looking for new experiences. Food offers a gateway into other cultures, through taste, through food preparation and the whole eating environment. Food and drink provide lasting memories that define a holiday or travel experience.

I think It's always a good idea to experience local delicacies. Unlike other destinations, Maldives do not have street food options, and there are very few local restaurants based in the islands, whilst specialty Maldivian restaurants based in the resorts. This would certainly be a new experience and will attract tourists.

In my opinion, people always invest in food, and unlike other industries, culinary tourism had a potential in Maldives. If we look back our history, Maldives used to be today's Dubai or trading hub of that time. Multinational traders and sailor's stopover or pass by Maldives where our cuisine once was much richer than elsewhere. They are very similar to Turkish delicacies and many vegetarian dishes. Even there are many European related cuisines such as Pahela of Spain similar to our "Masbaiy" and Portuguese curries similar to our "Mussama Riha". There are many ways, ideal for Marketing. I recommend to incorporate these ideas in our destination marketing efforts and share the same with MMPRC about the spices of Maldives.

My opinion maybe be different. First of all, Maldives is and was branded for its unique beauty. Food was not a flavor. Each country has its unique flavor when it comes to food, so, why not culinary tourism? But, are we leaving our cuisine to be prepared by foreign expats? Who will do it? We have to build our tourism foundation before we start anything else.