Visit Sweden submits its final report for the national assignment regarding the export program for culinary tourism to Minister for Rural Affairs Anna-Caren Sätherb. It includes, among other things, a proposal for a national action plan for Swedish culinary tourism.
- After five years of work, we are now pleased to present the final report of a very successful project that has developed Sweden's dining scene and created international attention for Sweden as an innovative dining destination, says Susanne Andersson, CEO of Visit Sweden.
- Through the national cooperation in the export program, we in Sweden have over the years really succeeded in strengthening both the offer and the brand as a country to visit for those interested in food and drink. It is an important basis for continued development as a food destination, says Jens Heed, Project Manager Visit Sweden's export program for food tourism
Between 2017 and 2022, Visit Sweden has worked on a national project in the form of an export program for food tourism, to strengthen Sweden's competitiveness as a food destination, increase foreign visitors' consumption of restaurant services and food, and create a new market with an active target group, food-interested travelers.
The export program has been financed by the Rural Development Program/EU, Visit Sweden and the program's partners, with a total of SEK 57 million. The results have been reported to the clients and the final report was officially submitted to the Minister of Rural Development Anna-Caren Sätherb yesterday, June 15.
The collaboration between Visit Sweden and Swedish regional actors during the project has been extensive and the broad knowledge has contributed to developing local entrepreneurs and Sweden's offering as a destination for visitors interested in food and drink, as well as the proposal for a national action plan that is also included in the report.
Highlights of the final report include:
- A proposal for a national action plan for Swedish food tourism.
- Significant and measurably increased international interest in Sweden as a dining destination during the period.
- Product and destination development among actors that can contribute to strengthening Sweden's competitiveness in food tourism, achieved through knowledge sharing.
- Meal tourism in Sweden draws much of its power and basis from local food and food traditions, making it an important tool for sustainability. By capitalizing on Sweden's potential and contributing to business, growth and new jobs in the tourism industry throughout the country - the export program for meal tourism has contributed to targets 8.9 and 12b of the UN's global sustainability goals.
