From Street Eats to Urban Attractions: Sustainability of Selected Food Parks in Metro Manila as Drivers of Gastronomic Tourism a Literature Review

Abstract

Gastronomic tourism has emerged as an important component of urban tourism, with food parks serving as dynamic spaces that combine food, culture, and social interaction. This study examines the sustainability of selected food parks in Metro Manila and their role as drivers of gastronomic tourism. Using a qualitative literature review approach, the research explores tourists’ gastronomic experiences in terms of cultural experience, exciting experience, health concern, sensory appeal, and interpersonal relations. It also investigates sustainability practices across social, environmental, and economic dimensions and identifies challenges affecting the long-term viability of food parks. The study employs a descriptive–integrative research design through the synthesis of relevant local and international literature from peer-reviewed journals, books, and institutional reports. Findings reveal that food parks significantly contribute to gastronomic tourism by providing culturally immersive and multi-sensory dining experiences that enhance visitor satisfaction and destination attractiveness. Their ability to foster social interaction and community engagement further strengthens customer loyalty and repeat visitation. In addition, food parks support sustainability through employment generation, entrepreneurial opportunities, community participation, waste management initiatives, and environmentally responsible operations. Economically, they stimulate local business growth and contribute to tourism-related revenues. However, several challenges continue to affect their sustainability, including regulatory compliance issues, infrastructure limitations, inconsistent implementation of sustainable practices, and financial constraints among vendors. The study concludes that food parks have strong potential to serve as sustainable gastronomic tourism attractions in Metro Manila. Strengthened stakeholder collaboration, improved sustainability measures, and enhanced experiential offerings are essential to maintaining their competitiveness, resilience, and long-term contribution to urban tourism development.