Gastronomy is a key driver of regional tourism development. Despite growing recognition of its role in enhancing tourist experiences, the specific contributions of food-related factors remain insufficiently explored, especially from the perspective of hospitality and tourism employees. To address this gap, an investigation was carried out in the tourist region of Srem (A.P. Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia) through the perspective of employees in the hospitality and tourism sector. The custom-made GastroRegDevelop scale, developed for the purpose of this research, was used to comprise the food-related factors. The scale was carefully crafted through expert consultations, pilot testing, and its adaptation to the specific features of the gastronomy of the Srem Region, to ensure its clarity and validity. From a sample of 254 respondents, the survey identified four key food-related factors that contribute to tourism development: authenticity, events, quality, and food offer. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to analyze the collected data to reveal the initial factors, followed by the ordinal regression to evaluate their impact on employees’ satisfaction with the role of food in tourism and its economic effects in the region. The results indicated the importance of these factors for economic growth and tourist attractiveness, where the respondents singled out the authenticity and quality of local products as key elements in attracting tourists and increasing tourism-related income. This study not only highlights the urgent need for addressing specific food-related factors to maximize visitor satisfaction and regional economic impact, but also underscores the critical role of gastronomy in fostering sustainable regional development and establishing a unique regional identity within the global tourism market.

This study explores the establishment of intersectoral linkages between agriculture, hospitality, and tourism in the microregion of AP Vojvodina, Serbia, with a focus on developing a model that identifies the key factors for its effective implementation. For research purposes, the Delphi method, pilot testing, and advanced statistical techniques are used to validate the model. The Sustainable Intersectoral Linking Model in Agriculture, Hospitality, and Tourism (SILM-AHT) is developed, encompassing 37 indicators distributed across five factors: Sustainability, Education, Government Policy, Contribution of Farmers and Hospitality Providers, and Infrastructure. The SILM-AHT model can serve as a valuable tool for policymakers, enabling the monitoring and evaluation of sustainable development strategies. Its further practical application is recommended, along with the development of sustainable and well-coordinated activities and programs involving all the relevant stakeholders.

This manuscript investigates the key factors driving the diversification of agricultural production towards tourism and analyzes the impact of economic business aspects and farmers’ identity on this process. The study involved 420 farm owners from the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Factor analysis identified four main factors: motivation, resources, market conditions, and accessibility. Results show that the average monthly income of farmers is €1350, and they recognize diversification potential as a tool to improve the economic performance of their farms. However, the prevailing traditional farmer identity limits this process. This study provides insights into farmers’ attitudes towards sustainable agricultural diversification into tourism within the context of a developing country.

This research examined how food and wine pairing affects the sustainability in local hospitality settings. This study focused on hospitality employees’ attitudes in Srem, where it explored the importance of integrating local produce, the economic and environmental benefits of reduced food miles, and customer satisfaction through authentic experiences. Key research questions investigated the perceived value of food–wine pairing, factors that influenced sustainable practices, and employee motivation. Data were gathered via a structured survey that highlighted challenges like limited ingredient availability and high costs. The results show that the employees recognized the importance of sustainability but displayed limited motivation for further initiatives. The findings suggest that enhancing local sourcing can bolster economic resilience and cultural preservation, promoting a sustainable tourism model for the region. This study recommends additional research on ecological impacts and local community benefits to further embed sustainability in hospitality practices.