Culinary Tourism through Food Tours in Jaipur: A Thematic Analysis

Thematic analysis of the customer experiences regarding the food tours, conceptualizes the complex nature of culinary tourism in the Pink City.  Traditional cuisine offers a special perspective of a destination’s past, present, and future by illuminating its social vibrancy, culinary heritage, and cultural values. With its renowned culinary delicacies and rich royal heritage, Jaipur makes an interesting case study. The study explores the stories and experiences of several food tourists in Jaipur in order to pinpoint the recurring themes that influence the gastronomic experience of the visitor. The themes identified are: ‘history on a plate: tasting the royal past, the bustling bazar as a living kitchen’, ‘sensory overload a treat for more than just the palate’, ‘authenticity and the ‘hidden gem’ experience’, and ‘connecting with the locals: food as a social bridge’. Together, this theme shows that culinary tour itinerary must be carefully planned to deliver a more complete understanding of the local daily life rather than just eating. The findings also offer useful information for Jaipur tourism marketers and tour operators who want to improve their services. The results indicate that the sustainability of the culinary tourism will depend on genuine and environmentally friendly and cultural vibrancy experiences for travellers.