As a certified Ambassador of the World Food Travel Association as well as a Culinary Travel Professional I Introduce the association whenever there are opportunities in food & tourism events. The Omar Niode Foundation also participates in or organizes activities to explore the richness of food travel destination in Indonesia, for the benefits of local communities. The following are three activities that we considered important in raising awareness about food travel.

The Indie Travel Mart indietravelmart.com is an annual event for independent trip operators (indie) that play a role in promoting and encouraging the development of potential tourist destinations in Indonesia.

A series of events was organized on 12-14 November 2015 including talk shows about traveling and destinations in Indonesia, workshops, artist performances, a photo exhibition, a blood donor and local arts exhibition,

TripTrus and Koperasi Jasa Wisata Mandiri Nusantara, a travel service cooperative, organize the Indie Travel Mart. Triptrus is an online market place where individuals and traveler communities converge; including backpackers, trip service providers, culinary communities and history buffs. While Koperasi Jasa Wisata Mandiri Nusantara constitutes a group of independent trip operators that not only focus on the economic side but also in other ways such as commitments to nature conservation, and preservation of local culture.

The Omar Niode Foundation believes that Food Tourism is a viable business opportunity that could be developed by the independent trip operators, tourist destination organizations and entrepreneurs. Various data indicate that the average contribution of food tourism to the economy of a country could reach 25% mainly because food tourism industry covers businesses of Food & Beverage, Travel & Hospitality, Related Groups and Consumers. Meanwhile Triptrus recorded approximately 400 independent trip operators throughout Indonesia and in a week about 3000 people make trip reservations through triptrus.com.

During the Indie Travel Mart, Omar Niode Foundation organized a talk show on Food Travel Business Opportunities, to introduce the World Food Travel Association and to explore the benefits and tips of food travel in Indonesia. Resource persons were Amanda Niode, Ambassador of the World Food Travel Association and Sutiono, a food and travel blogger who has more than 200 posts in his blog.

After the talk show, independent travel operators in the audience stated that food travel is an added bonus, an opportunity that could be linked to their traditional offer of sight seeing or adventure in an area.

The Omar Niode Foundation in collaboration with the City Government of Kediri and its PKK (Family Welfare Empowerment Movement) organized a “Public Seminar on Profiting from Food Travel Business in the City Kediri” on 11 August 2015. The public seminar aimed at introducing the benefits of food travel, exploring food travel opportunities in Kediri and the business of food travel.

The City of Kediri, located in East Java, Indonesia that is celebrating its 1156th anniversary is rich in history as it was in this scenic area that a Hindu Kingdom thrived in the 11th century, Food tours are not limited to just seeking unique food in a city. Food travelers like to hear an interesting story, making Kediri souvenirs, preparing Kediri food, exploring traditional market, photographing and writing memorable experiences.

Soto Podjok (traditional Kediri soup), pecel punten (mixed vegetables with peanut sauce), tahu takwa (takwa tofu), gethuk pisang (banana roll) and sate bekicot (snail satay) are quite well known Kediri food. Their popularities need to be supported by various stories behind these food as well as professional and photographs that could tell the story in the media.

Brantas riverbank, Betek Setono Market, Ngronggo Market are potential sites that can be developed into food attractions, supported by adequate means such as good food, cleanliness and guides for newcomers. Jalan Doho and Jalan Yos Sudarso, popular local tourist destinations, can be promoted in Indonesia and internationally. Other interesting points are the location of Kadiri Kingdom and the guerrilla track of Jenderal Soedirman, Indonesia’s national hero.

 Image: The City of Kediri

We were fortunate that Mrs. Ferry Silviana, the Chair of PKK who is also the wife of Kediri Mayor in East Java, Indonesia is a strong supporter of food travel. The event was attended by 200 people, representing women organizations, regional government officials, Kediri food entrepreneurs, and the media.

In conjunction with a big event on Gelar Pemberdayaan masyarakat Berbasis Budaya (Culture-Based People Empowerment Development) held on 30 July-2 August 2015 in Jakarta Convention Center, the Omar Niode foundation and Nusantara Institute Cendekia organized a half-day seminar.

Themed “Patali (Market) Day. Achieving Food Travel Profit through Public Market” the seminar aimed at introducing food tourism and its benefits for the local economy and explore the role of public market in supporting food tourism.

Visiting local market is a mandatory agenda in food tourism as market is a meeting point of cultures, sounds and colors of everyday life to meet the needs in a local community. In the course of food travel, travelers not only taste typical foods from the area they visit, but also involve in activities such as interacting with traders in the market, and make photos of food that is served or sold. Some sites exist that offer local food cooking classes for tourists who want to understand more about the area’s food culture.

To serve the seminar’s purpose, the Omar Niode Foundation gave a presentation on The Benefits and Business of Food Travel.” Yayasan Danamon Peduli described their knowledge “Towards Healthy, Green, Clean and Well Maintained Public Markets” while Aku Cinta Masakan Indonesia, the I love Indonesian Food Movement shared their experience on visiting traditional markets all over Indonesia.

According to the World Food travel Association, food tourism is the pursuit and enjoyment of unique and memorable food and drink experiences, both far and near. It is worth exploring and developing in as it increases the number of tourists, sales, and revenue from tax; new competitive advantages; community awareness on tourism in local unique food and beverage; and the amount of media coverage of food tourism areas.

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Images: Omar Niode Foundation, unless otherwise noted