Food tourism is a lucrative but neglected industry in Semnan
Semnan province with cultural diversity, areas benefiting from historical monuments and people with colorful tables of different foods, which is a good opportunity for food tourism to flourish and the presence of tourists for economic prosperity, which requires strengthening the infrastructure and a suitable approach to introduce. Tourism as a lucrative industry has different types. Cultural tourism, adventure, business, ecotourism, which aims to benefit from the environment and nature, bitter tourism (visiting historical disasters), health and food tourism are among the various areas of the tourism industry.
Food tourism as defined by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) includes a set of activities related to eating and drinking while traveling; These activities can be cooking classes and courses or attending and visiting markets and markets of food, agriculture, food and even visiting workshops and factories of food production and processing industries or eating in a restaurant, according to statistics, food tourism in the world annually It has $ 200 billion in revenue.
Attention to food-based travel has become more popular around the world than ever before. Semnan province has many tourist and natural attractions due to its specific geographical and climatic extent and the confluence of forests and deserts. The existence of different ethnic groups and the number of villages in the province shows the diversity of food and food, which has created a very desirable capacity for the prosperity of food tourism.
Semnan province enjoys a high diversity in bread, food and feed and due to livestock skills and the existence of nomads, many foods are prepared and consumed based on dairy products in the province and based on this capacity: so far 18 foods in Semnan province in The list of national heritage has been registered.
Vagreh soup of Jovin village, Shengi pilaf, lamb stew, Qalwat shell, Qatghi Forumd, breads of Edge village (Sirishin and Yuzin), traditional method of cheese processing in Arvaneh village cave, Tehchin Garmsari, traditional method of cooking Semnani vegetable pilaf, Doshain Halva, skill Baking simple and walnut sieve slices of Aftar village, melon roe (calculus rope) of Lasjerd village, Do Kolna Shahr Sorkheh, Golach (Semnan traditional bread), Semnan Buqsamat bread, techniques of preparing dairy products of Sangsar tribe nomads and baking skills The registered foods from Semnan province are in the national heritage list.
Many foods of Semnan province have the ability to symbolize and introduce to domestic and foreign tourists, such as “Arusheh”, which is a unique product and the top of the pyramid of dairy products of the Sangsar tribe. The province has a great variety in preparing different types of food. Most traditional foods and recipes are inherited, and most grandmothers have the skill to cook them, which unfortunately, due to changes in lifestyle and diet, many foods are not popular among the new generation or have not been introduced yet.
The high speed of urban life and the busyness of people, fast foods and ready food have entered the food basket of families, while the enjoyment of traditional foods and authentic foods due to healthy cooking methods and the use of quality raw materials has a tremendous impact on family health. has it.
The first step in developing food tourism is to keep alive the traditional and authentic food of the province and introduce it to the people and then to the tourists.
Vinegar Shahroud
New tourism in Semnan province
The Director General of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Semnan Province stated: The first step in the development of food tourism is to study the food table of the province and register it in the national heritage list, which includes research and registration of food, promotion and promotion of food and informing the community. The goal is to preserve traditional and authentic food by entering restaurant menus and educating people.
Hamidreza Doost Mohammadi continued: Semnan province is like a hidden treasure that many of its historical, cultural and natural attractions have not been documented and the people of the province are unaware of it and the arrival of tourists requires the provision of tourism infrastructure and capacity for tourist reception based The culture is indigenous.
One of the wrong behaviors that occur in tourism in Semnan province by some citizens is directing tourists to neighboring provinces due to citizens’ ignorance of the province’s tourist attractions.
He added: “The main reason for the small number of tourists in Semnan province is the lack of introduction of cultural and tourism resources, in which travel services offices and people have an important role in this introduction.” On the other hand, the arrival of tourists without a plan and preparation is very destructive and must be gradual and in sync with the creation of the necessary infrastructure in various fields in order to create sustainable tourism in Semnan province.
Dost Mohammadi stated: One of the wrong behaviors that occur in tourism in Semnan province by some citizens is directing tourists to neighboring provinces in the shadow of citizens’ ignorance of the province’s tourist attractions and as a result directing tourists to neighboring provinces the opportunity for prosperity It deprives tourism and economic benefits from this area, while we have to introduce tourists to the province by introducing rural and urban spaces.
Develop an investment culture instead of a brokerage culture
The Director General of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Semnan Province stated: There are 38 caravanserais in the province, which have a very good capacity for tourism, especially food tourism, but unfortunately the problems caused by their ownership do not give the opportunity to repair, revive and transfer to the private sector. Give.
Dost Mohammadi stated: Government investment in infrastructure is very long-term and sustainable development in local communities is formed only by private sector investment. The entry of the private sector in food tourism and the use of caravanserai capacity has an effective role in attracting tourists. Private sector and elimination of redundant regulations, tourism in Jani province will be renewed.
He added: “One of the most important sources of food tourism in Semnan province is active ecotourism.” Facilities such as the change of commercial tariffs to tourism and 50% tax exemptions for tourism facilities such as cafeterias and restaurants along the way for activities in the field of tourism, especially food tourism, are also provided.
Semnanani pilaf vegetables
Tourism activist and owner of an ecotourism unit in Semnan province said: Guests and travelers are served with traditional and local food in our ecotourism and only traditional food is prepared and offered, which has been welcomed by travelers, especially foreign tourists. .
Regarding the development of ecotourism, Mohammad Hadi Izadfar added: “We intend to provide more activities and food to travelers by establishing a tourism complex in a special way in the field of preparing local food.”
Izadfar continued: “No fast food food is provided to travelers in our ecotourism and all meals include traditional food of the province and especially the region, which is very attractive for travelers and in some cases has led to the return of tourists.” Is.
Attracting travelers by introducing traditional food and establishing a traditional restaurant are among the goals of this tourism activist for the prosperity of his business along with preserving and introducing local and indigenous food.
Food tourism with a taste of new experience
The food tourism official of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of Semnan Province stated: Attention to food, its diversity and quality is the concern of tourism activists, including the successful experience of holding several Iranian table festivals with top chefs and seasonal food festivals. , The festival of local bread and food, has had a great impact on the introduction of food tourism in the province.
Hoda Talebian continued: “Due to the attractiveness of food and food in travels and the establishment of the Atlas Center for Iranian Food, following the inclusion of local food in the menu of restaurants, restaurants and accommodation centers to acquaint travelers and tourists with unique flavors and colors.” We are the food of Semnan province.
Referring to the holding of food festivals at the national and provincial levels, he added: preparing food registration files in the spiritual list and registering it in the Iranian food atlas, planning about holding food tourism entrepreneurship courses and holding tours to get acquainted with the variety of food and bread In addition to holding cultural nights in the province, it is one of the actions of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Semnan province.
Talebian pointed out: Semnan province, due to its unique climate, proximity to the desert and the sea, as well as the presence of neighboring provinces and self-sufficient tribes, has a great variety in food and bread, and more than 70 different types of bread in the province are still baked. is used.
Due to the attractiveness of food and food in travels and the establishment of the Atlas Center for Iranian Food, local food should be included in the menu of cafeterias, restaurants and accommodation centers to acquaint travelers and tourists with the unique taste and colors of food in Semnan province. .
He continued: “Focus on food tourism, in addition to increasing the attractiveness of travel and curiosity of travelers to try new flavors and various areas of tourism such as health tourism, agricultural tourism, as well as the support and support of many professions and classes.”
He considered the preparation of a food-focused travel package important and added: “Passengers in this specialized package have a unique experience of harvesting and buying organic products along with participating in a friendly gathering for cooking food, drinks and desserts, socializing and getting acquainted with the new culture in” Tourism will have food.
Te Chin Sangsari
Types of Tehchin in Semnan province from Ivanki to Frood
The director of the Semnan Cultural Heritage Preservers Association and a culinary instructor stated: In order to develop food tourism, the local food of the province should be introduced and symbolized. Has guests from all over the country and foreign tourists.
Maliheh Sayad added: Semnan province also has the capacity to hold the “Tehchin” festival due to the existence of different Tehchin. The province of Tehchin has been held with the introduction of eight types of Tehchin from the cities of the province.
Sayad Touri pointed out: the province has a high capacity in tourism development and food tourism is facing a lot of success. Even at the various ritual festivals that are held, visitors are often looking to try traditional foods and local delicacies, especially those who live in metropolitan areas are very fond of local food.
He added: “The main concerns of tourism activists in the development of tourism is the use of passenger traffic capacity and the introduction of food, which unfortunately has been neglected so far and the people of the province are often indifferent to their resources if it is very attractive and diverse.” By holding ritual food festivals, in addition to attracting tourists and introducing the food of the province, it is possible to create jobs for artists and home-based businesses.
The CEO of the Semnan Cultural Heritage Preservers Association stated: The cooperation of government agencies and financial support for festivals will boost the business of food activists, and the prosperity of food tourism requires holding several food festivals in short intervals, including food. Local food is on the menu of restaurants and food supply centers, especially road restaurants, and the introduction of a variety of traditional foods of the province to the country’s restaurants.
Digi Sangsar
The last word
The prosperity of food tourism is based on the diversity of local and indigenous food, but it is not enough to have this diversity, but the introduction of local food requires the existence of technical infrastructure such as restaurants, cafes, residential complexes, rural and nomadic spaces with catering formalities. Is.
On the other hand, about 20 million passengers pass through Semnan province every year without stopping. A capacity that is a very good opportunity for the tourism industry to flourish in all sub-sectors, but unfortunately urban and road spaces are not ready to accept them.
With the boom of the food tourism industry and keeping local food alive, in addition to generating income and creating employment, traditional and healthy foods are entering the families’ table, the consumption of which affects people’s health.
Increasing speed of life, multiple work worries, the arrival of the Corona virus and changing circumstances, changing the cultural context of society and lifestyle have affected various cultural, historical, social, educational aspects of families and we must remember that still Tablecloths warm people’s relationships and provide opportunities for companionship, and how much better to live with local foods and delicacies while maintaining health and keeping our precious heritage alive.