The role of luxury gastronomy in culinary tourism: An ethnographic study ofMichelin-Starredrestaurants in France

This paper investigates the role of Michelin-starred chefs as change-makers and advocates of tourism activities in both rural and urban areas. We conducted a longitudinal ethnographic study in 35 French Michelin-starred restaurants (1, 2, and 3 Michelin stars) in France from 2014 to 2018. Our results show that there are four significant forms of activities implemented by luxury restaurants to enhance destination attractiveness: (a) designing unique luxury gastronomic experience offerings, (b) promoting terroir products and rural food tourism, (c) gastronomization of rural destinations, and (d) augmenting the media capital of the destination.