Matís wants to promote food tourism in the Southeast and the company wants to collaborate with interested parties in the area who have a good idea for local food. Guðmundur H. Gunnarsson, Matís' project manager at Höfn, says that the goal of the project is to strengthen the economy and increase margins through further processing of local products in the area.
"We are looking for partners in food tourism. The project involves the development of products from local ingredients that can be sold to tourists in the area. "
He says that food tourism seeks to produce food from local ingredients that appeal to tourists. "In this way, it is possible to increase margins within the area both through further processing of raw materials, sales of local products and longer stays for tourists. It is clear that the demand for local products has increased, partly due to tourists' interest in experiencing and taking with them the uniqueness of areas when it comes to food, "says Guðmundur. "We want to further encourage this interest and help the locals gain a foothold in this field."
Food tourism is part of cultural and recreational tourism
"We are feeling the growing interest of locals in the integration of food, culture and tourism. A good example of this is the establishment of the cluster In the State of Vatnajökull, which works to promote such integration. There, parties in the area agree on its overall marketing. It is also clear that the target group is present in the area. According to research, it is estimated that half of all foreign tourists visit the area during the summer, or about 120,000 a year, and that will only increase, "says Guðmundur.
He says that food tourism actually involves the experience of a certain place or area through the consumption of local or regional food and drink. "Raw materials and production methods that are common in the area are highlighted there, creating a unique position. Food tourism can therefore be part of cultural and entertainment-related tourism, such as in restaurants that offer guests local products, such as lobster here in Höfn. Then you can think of sales of farmers' home production, food festivals and cooking courses, for example, "says Guðmundur.
He says that Matís is interested in supporting the development of food tourism nationwide but with an emphasis on the Southeast. "We want to be involved in the development of products from local ingredients with interested parties in this area. Matís' contribution includes expertise and equipment for product development and support from idea to product. "