Artificial Intelligence in Gastronomic Heritage Preservation: Governance and Community Acceptance in Tourism Contexts

Gastronomic tourism heritage represents a significant segment of intangible cultural heritage, reflecting traditional knowledge, local identity, and long-standing culinary practices. The contemporary development of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), opens new possibilities for its preservation, documentation, and sustainable interpretation within cultural tourism. The aim of this research is to examine the role of artificial intelligence as a tool for preserving gastronomic tourism heritage from the perspective of local community members in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia, regions characterised by shared gastronomic and cultural traditions. The study was conducted using a quantitative research design based on a structured questionnaire administered to 571 respondents. A convenience sampling approach was applied, targeting individuals involved in the preparation, transmission, or promotion of traditional gastronomy. Data were collected through a combination of field-based and online survey distribution. The analysis focuses on respondents’ perceptions of AI applications in documenting traditional recipes, interpreting gastronomic heritage, and promoting it within tourism, as well as on attitudes related to authenticity and cultural identity preservation. The findings indicate that, within the surveyed sample, artificial intelligence is generally perceived as a useful tool for safeguarding gastronomic heritage. At the same time, respondents emphasise the importance of transparent governance, community participation, and culturally sensitive implementation in order to minimise risks of commodification and loss of authenticity.