Culinary Tourism Market

Global Culinary Tourism Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The size of the global culinary tourism market was worth USD 1.54 billion in 2023. The global market size is anticipated to register a CAGR of 17.82% from 2024 to 2029 and be worth USD 4.12 billion by 2029 from USD 1.81 billion in 2024.

The desire for an exceptional dining and drinking experience is referred to as culinary tourism. Travelers can explore regional cuisines on this excursion. It links tourists with regional cuisine and drinks. Heritage and cultural tourism are closely tied to culinary tourism. Due to an increase in interest in local food culture rather than gourmet food, travelers find culinary tourism to be the most alluring. Local food allows visitors to have a direct and genuine relationship with their location. Through food and drink, they get a sense of the local culture, heritage, and people. Additionally, a destination's local food culture helped it develop a reputation around the world, attracting tourists interested in culinary tourism.

Current Scenario of the Global Culinary Tourism Market

The market for culinary tourism is anticipated to grow quickly as the tourism industry expands and the number of travelers throughout the world rises quickly. Many vacationers designate portions of their journeys, particularly for culinary excursions and the study of various cuisine cultures. They sample local cuisine and learn about it. They spend around half of their vacation cash on gastronomic pursuits. This is a key factor in the expansion of the culinary tourism market growth during the forecast period. Culinary tourism is further boosted by the growing popularity of wine, beer, and food festivals. In the upcoming years, this is anticipated to fuel the market for culinary tourism.

MARKET DRIVERS

The surge in the number of travelers choosing unusual and exotic vacation spots to escape their busy everyday lives and gain worthwhile experiences is propelling the culinary tourism market growth.

Most people choose their travel destination based on private, quiet, peaceful, and exotic regions with strong food culture. Travelers have chosen as their top preferences regions with a wide choice of tasty foods and beverages. Affluent visitors are also more attracted to places that are culturally and historically fascinating as interest in learning about and understanding the local culture grows.

Additionally, as more individuals are exposed to various social media platforms, their knowledge of the numerous trends influencing the tourist business has increased. A fake vacation agency is evolving through social media. Customers are increasingly choosing travel-related services and goods based on recommendations from those who have visited or stayed there in the past. They also make reference to evaluations and analyses provided on different social networking websites. Views and opinions expressed on websites promote more product transparency and encourage customers to book their favorite trip destination. On the other hand, it is anticipated that increased cost and simplicity of obtaining accommodation would attract budget tourists to travel more frequently and open the door for expansion of the culinary tourism market in the near future.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Political chaos and terrorism, on the other hand, have had an impact on the overall amount of international travel and choice of location and are the main restraints on the culinary tourism market in the upcoming years.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

Global Culinary Tourism Market Analysis By Type

The segment responsible for the biggest share and most prominences in the global culinary tourism market is the food festival segment and it is anticipated that this trend will remain for the entire forecast period. The popularity of unusual foods and beverages among travelers is a contributing factor in this market segment's expansion. Additionally, by making the most of their vacation time, tourists can experience a variety of flavors in a region while traveling to several places; as a result, this section is a favorite for visitors who wish to immerse themselves in the culture for a longer period of time. However, across the projected period, the segment offering cooking classes is anticipated to increase at the fastest pace.

Global Culinary Tourism Market Analysis By Mode of Cooking

The OTA segment, which was the most significant segment in 2023 based on the mode of booking, is anticipated to increase at the highest CAGR of 17.9% throughout the forecast period. This can be attributed to the increasing use of smartphones for booking travel. Additionally, this method of booking is quite practical, and the agencies frequently give incentives to customers who choose this method.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The North American region, with its significant share, dominates the global culinary tourism market. The rising number of events that combine cuisine and culture is a key factor fueling the expansion of culinary tourism in the United States. This trend is not only a cultural phenomenon but also a promising business opportunity. The increasing number of regional cuisine programs being offered at music and arts festivals is expected to open up significant profit potential for food service suppliers in the American market, thereby fueling the market growth in the region. The growing demand for local artisanal foods and craft beverages and the escalating demand for sustainable and organic food products are further augmenting the market growth in the North American region. The well-established food and beverage industry and the growing number of restaurants offering delicious cuisines and recipes support the market growth.

The European culinary tourism market held a prominent share of the global market revenue and is expected to expand at a significant CAGR due to rising concerns about the sustainability of German vacations. Outbound tourism in the region and the enlarging tourism industry positively impact European market growth. According to the data provided by the CBI Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 3% to 5% of European tourists are majorly culinary tourists. Most tourists spend around 25% of their budget on food and beverages, which can be 36% for expensive destinations.

The Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period. What sets this region apart is its unique blend of authentic, historical heritage with modern culture, which is boosting the regional market share growth. Most Asian countries, such as India, China, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and others, offer various authentic experiences. The increasing demand for local culture, natural environment, and unique food tastes is enhancing the growth of the market. For instance, Thailand is widely known for its numerous world-class gourmet restaurants, award-winning bars, and innovative cafes in large cities such as Bangkok.

The Latin American region is estimated to have notable growth in the coming years due to increasing tourists across the regional countries. The countries like Brazil and Columbia are popularly known for their coffee tours and other countries offer chocolate tours owing to their locally sourced cocoa. The increase in tourism is providing the region with significant growth opportunities for expanding the culinary tourism market.

The Middle East and African region is projected to grow moderately in the coming years due to increased demand for cuisines made from traditional spices and authentic cooking methods. The rising tourism industry is enhancing the market growth opportunities, and the expanding food and beverage industry in the region is escalating the market growth.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL CULINARY TOURISM MARKET

Companies playing a major role in the global culinary tourism market include Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC., Classic Journeys, LLC., G Adventures, Greaves Travel Ltd, India Food Tour, ITC Travel Group Limited, Food Tour Corporation, The Travel Corporation, Topdeck travel and Tourradar gmbh.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE GLOBAL CULINARY TOURISM MARKET

• In November 2023, Abercrombie and Kent Group of companies announced the launch of an extraordinary journey, Italy and the Palio. The company's founder will host the journey and depart in August 2024. It is expected to provide culinary delights from Michelin-starred restaurants and authentic cooking lessons.
• In 2023, the World Food Travel Association (WFTA) introduced a sustainable culinary experiences certification program. This initiative aims to recognize and promote food-related activities that prioritize environmental and social responsibility, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable practices in the culinary tourism industry.
• In 2023, the Basque Culinary Center launched "Culinary Action," a program dedicated to using culinary experiences for social causes.  

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL CULINARY TOUSIM MARKET INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

This research report on the global culinary tourism market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on type, mode of booking, and region.

By Type

• Culinary Trials
• Restaurants
• Cooking Classes
• Food Festivals
• Others

By Mode of Booking

• Traditional Agents
• OTA
• Direct Travel

By Region

• North America 
• Europe 
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America 
• Middle East & Africa