Gastronomic tourism and tourism and craft beer: economic impact on Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador

Abstract

Gastronomic tourism related to craft brewing is an emerging phenomenon that can contribute significantly to economic and social development. This study explores the relationship between gastronomic tourism and craft brewing in Cuenca, Ecuador, with a focus on the profile of consumers and its impact on the local economy. The objective was to analyze the participation and perception of different age groups in activities related to craft brewing, as well as to identify opportunities to strengthen this sector. Using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to verify the normality of the data, information on age, gender, academic level and participation in tourism activities was collected from 275 respondents. The results indicate that young adults, with a medium to medium-high socioeconomic level, have a higher knowledge of and participation in beer tourism. This trend suggests that marketing strategies should focus on highlighting the authenticity and quality of local products to attract this segment. It is concluded that the craft brewery has a high potential to contribute to the economic development of Cuenca, but requires improvements in promotion and inter-sectoral collaboration.

Keywords:

Economic and social development, Tourism, Economy, Beer.