RURAL GASTRONOMY TOURISM, THE NEW LUXURY
Discover-EAT brought together chefs, producers, tourism agents and gastronomic communicators for three days in the Castilian-La Mancha lands of Campo de Criptana, Alcázar de San Juan and Herencia at the first congress on gastronomic tourism in non-urban environments. They all agree that gastronomy is no longer seen as a complement to travel, but has become its driving force. It has become the hinge that links the primary sector with tourism. And in the new luxury, a luxury that is now perceived through the senses: the aroma of earth and fresh grass from the countryside, the intense flavor of a handcrafted cured cheese, and the majestic silence of a century-old winery that evokes centuries of history and dedication.
Conclusion
The Discover-Eat 2025 congress makes it clear that rural gastronomic tourism is consolidating as an effective strategy for territorial revitalization. The key ingredients are authenticity, the design of immersive experiences and the integration of multiple agents -administrations, academia, producers, chefs and technology-. The “new luxury” is no longer in physical luxury, but in the emotional richness of a genuine experience: knowing the origin of food, contributing to local development, and enjoying unique stories. Global initiatives (Tuscany, Peru, Napa) and digital tools such as TasteAtlas are leading the way: the future lies in valuing the local, preserving it and telling it with passion.
