Tourists want an authentic local experience. People coming to the UAE are looking for Emirati food, so it’s crucial to develop the cuisine, Samantha Wood, Founder, Publisher and Communications Consultant of FooDiva, told the Arabian Travel Market on Thursday.
She was speaking at the session “Find your 2024 niche: Top trends to tap in gastronomy,” moderated by Jonathan DeLise, Freelance Food and travel Writer for FindingFoodFluency. Christophe Hobeika, Executive Director of Hotels and Resorts at Sunset Hospitality Group, and Harue Oki, Middle East representative of Japan National Tourism Organisation, also weighed in.
Although almost all cuisines in the world can be found in the UAE, Emirati food hasn’t generated enough interest among residents. As a result, Emirati restaurants are difficult to come by. But that’s changing.
“We’re beginning to see inroads…