Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer on the impact the Michelin star system could have on tourism

New Zealand's first Michelin Guide Restaurant Ceremony is set to take place this week, and there's hope this development could boost tourism.

Food tourism is growing in popularity, with more travellers seeking authentic dining experiences that reflected a destination’s national identity. 

BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton explained further.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin
from News talks'b Travel with Windy Woo Tours Where the
world is yours for now?

Speaker 2 (00:18):
Thank Joining me is Meghan Singleton, blogger at large dot com.
Good morning, Good morning, So today we're going to talk
about what the impact Micheland star system could have on
New Zealand tourism. Of course we're going to find out
this week if any of our and I'm sure they
will have restaurants here in New Zealand have earned one
to or three stars. How much of an impact can

(00:39):
a Michelin star have on tourism.

Speaker 3 (00:42):
Well, I think this is probably the most exciting thing
to happen to New Zealand's tourism for as such a
mighty long time. You know, it's a small investment that
Tourism New Zealand have made and it will have massive effects.
So firstly, let me explain that for years and years
I have been getting press releases from cities and states,

(01:02):
particularly in the US but obviously through Europe as well,
lauding theirland guide inclusions, announcing new restaurants. It's such a
huge impact. It's a draw card come to visit us
in this city. We've just got three stars, you know,
or we've got three new restaurants that got a bibicalmand.
Now that's another whole award for value. Value added restaurants

(01:25):
are not as expensive as you're fine dining massive michelind
stars who we expect to hear about on Tuesday. But
there will be probably some other restaurants that get a
bibicalmand mention which we can probably all afford to go to.
So now and then I'm like, okay, So tourists come
to New Zealand mainly for our food, sorry, our incredible scenery,

(01:47):
our outdoor activities, maybe our wines, and then they're often
surprised and delighted by our food scene because they don't
understand our hat system, or they don't subscribe to magazines
that have the top one hundred or whatever because they're
coming from France or Texas. So, and did you know
that tourism in New Zealand directly and indirectly employs one

(02:08):
in ten people in this country and that the biggest
employer is in the food and beverage industry. So I'm
telling you all this to then go on and say
that the International Tourism only accounts for a third of that,
and last year the expenditure was forty six billion, over
seven percent of our GDP. So now, Tourism New Zealand

(02:29):
took six million dollars spread over three years, out of
its marketing budget to get the Michelin Guide here. Now,
I know it's only going to start in four cities,
and that does mean that some gorgeous restaurants that I love,
like Edburgh and Taupo or Crabby Range and Havelock Laws
will not be able to be included this time. But
let's hope that you know, the next year is one

(02:50):
will come everybody.

Speaker 2 (02:51):
Everybody knows that Craigi Range has got three stars around.
Yes that's okay, Yes, it's totally right.

Speaker 3 (02:55):
If you've had the.

Speaker 2 (02:56):
Privilege have been able to dine there, then you will
know that that's where that one's going to land. Yeah, hey,
am I right in thinking that? Actually you are the
one that really kind of started to push the Restaurant
Association of New Zealand to get them here.

Speaker 3 (03:12):
Well, look at two and a half years ago, I
pitched it because of all of what I've just said.
You know, I've been reading these press releases. People don't
know about our food scene in New Zealand because they
don't understand our hat awards. And yeah, so I'm invited
to the awards ceremony on Tuesday and I can't wait
to see who's in there, who's included. But more importantly,

(03:35):
it's going to give global travelers who are foodies and
excuse to go out of their way you see Michelin tires,
and go out of their way to experience some of
our amazing restaurants and celebrate our food scene. You know,
our grass feed beef. People in America can't believe that
all our beef are grass feed, like what, so we
just take it for granted. How amazing our food scene is.

Speaker 2 (03:59):
Is it going to make it impossible if you know,
my one special birthday treat dinner out, It's going to
be impossible for me to get into some of these restaurants.

Speaker 3 (04:08):
Now, well, the good thing is you know when your
birthday is so yeah, book book and advance. Look it
might do. Hey, we can only hope for the sake
of you know, the hospitality industry has been hit hard.
For the sake of them and their employees and our
food suppliers and growers and producers. It can only be
a good thing. And I just can't wait to see
who's in it.

Speaker 2 (04:29):
Neither can I. So we might have to have a
little debrief. Can we get it? Can you find carry?
And I text on Tuesday night when you're your fancy
drinks and we let us know the goss because we're
all dying to know. Gosh, it's going to be fascinating
to watch, isn't it. Thank you so much, Meghan.

Speaker 1 (04:42):
For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen
live to News Talks It'd be from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.