Chef Thomas Nouantanouvanh is the mind behind Fresno restaurant L'Aperitif, which opened in August 2020. Photo by Edward Smith

Visit Fresno County has released a global culinary tour aimed at attracting hungry visitors to the Fresno-Clovis area.

Run by the Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau, visitfresnocounty.org features listings about events, attractions, hotels and — of course — restaurants in the area. Its latest blog from last week is titled “Around the World Eats in Fresno County” and features more than a dozen restaurant entree suggestions for global cuisine, including Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian, Japanese and more.

Suggestions include the sweet corn agnolotti from Annex Kitchen; tandoori chicken from Curry-Out Clovis; sambusa from Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant in Fresno; frog legs from L’Apéritif Bistro in Fresno; and green ceviche from Tabachines Cocina in Fresno.

Vanessa Puopolo, vice president of the Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the organization made it an important part of its strategy earlier this year to highlight the region’s culinary offerings.

“We realize we had a unique position because of all the food that is grown here and the compelling stories of people that have opened restaurants or have a food truck,” Puopolo said.

It’s a strategy being employed by tourism officials across the Golden State. Big money rides on such marketing. In 2021, the Visit California tourism board estimated travel-related spending of $100 billion in California — about 40% came from people who live in the state.

She said the recommendations came from internal research, with a focus on providing a wide variety of choices for both residents and visitors.

“We have seen great results from it,” she said.

The Visit Fresno County blog includes many other recommendations, including Fresno County food trucks, farmers’ markets, breakfast restaurants and pumpkin patches.