Global Culinary Tourism Market 2024–2033

Reports Description

As per the current market research conducted by the CMI Team, the global Culinary Tourism Market is expected to record a CAGR of 12.5% from 2023 to 2032. In 2023, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 973.2 Billion. By 2032, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 2809.3 Billion.

The Culinary Tourism Market involves travel experiences centered around food and beverages, focusing on exploring diverse culinary traditions, regional cuisines, and unique gastronomic offerings. Travelers seek authentic dining experiences, cooking classes, and visits to local markets, aiming to engage with the cultural fabric of a destination through its cuisine.

The market has evolved with trends such as sustainable and locally sourced foods, technological innovations in culinary experiences, and an increased emphasis on health and safety measures. Culinary tourism promotes cultural exchange, offering a dynamic and immersive way for individuals to discover and savor the flavors of different regions globally.

Culinary Tourism Market – Significant Growth Factors

The Culinary Tourism Market presents significant growth opportunities due to several factors:

• Growing Interest in Authentic Experiences: The increasing desire for authentic travel experiences drives the culinary tourism market. Travelers seek to immerse themselves in local cultures through authentic culinary encounters, leading to rising demand for unique and traditional gastronomic adventures.

• Social Media Influence: Social media platforms play a pivotal role in promoting food experiences. Influencers and user-generated content contribute to the popularity of culinary destinations, influencing travel decisions and driving interest in diverse and trending cuisines.

• Rising Health and Wellness Consciousness: The growing focus on health and wellness encourages culinary tourism. Travelers seek nutritious and well-balanced food options, leading to a demand for destinations offering a blend of delicious and health-conscious culinary experiences.

• Cultural Exchange and Globalization: The globalization of food trends and a desire for cultural exchange contribute to the market’s growth. Culinary tourism enables individuals to explore diverse cuisines, fostering a deeper appreciation for global gastronomic diversity.

• Innovative Culinary Experiences: The opportunity lies in creating and promoting innovative culinary experiences, such as themed pop-up dinners, fusion cuisine collaborations, and interactive food festivals. Unique and unconventional offerings attract travelers seeking memorable and Instagram-worthy dining adventures.

• Collaborations with Local Communities: Collaborating with local communities presents an opportunity to enhance the authenticity of culinary tourism. Establishing partnerships with local chefs, farmers, and artisans allows for the development of exclusive and immersive culinary experiences, supporting sustainable practices and contributing to the economic growth of the community.

Culinary Tourism Market – Mergers and Acquisitions

The Culinary Tourism Market has seen several mergers and acquisitions in recent years, with companies seeking to expand their market presence and leverage synergies to improve their product offerings and profitability. Some notable examples of mergers and acquisitions in the Culinary Tourism Market include:

• 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 within the culinary tourism industry.

• In 2024, EasyJet will expand its partnership with TUI Musement Tours and Activities, offering customers the option to add experiences to their flight or holiday packages. This collaboration enhances easyJet’s offering, providing travelers with a seamless way to integrate tours and activities into their travel plans.

• In 2023, The Basque Culinary Center launched “Culinary Action!”—a program dedicated to using culinary experiences for social causes. Focused on integrating individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, the initiative also emphasizes promoting sustainable cooking practices, contributing to social inclusion and environmentally conscious culinary efforts.

• In 2023, TUI Group will extend its decade-long partnership with IBS Software, aiming to optimize its airline IT operations platform. This move allows TUI to disrupt existing business models, improve scalability, expedite speed to market, and ultimately enhance the customer experience within the travel and tourism industry.

These mergers and acquisitions have helped companies expand their product offerings, improve their market presence, and capitalize on growth opportunities in the Culinary Tourism Market. The trend is expected to continue as companies seek to gain a competitive edge in the market.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RELATED MARKET

Culinary Tourism Market – Significant Threats

The Culinary Tourism Market faces several significant threats that could impact its growth and profitability in the future. Some of these threats include:

• Public Health Concerns: Public health crises, such as pandemics or food safety issues, pose significant threats to the culinary tourism market. Health-related concerns can lead to travel restrictions, reduced consumer confidence, and an overall decline in culinary tourism activities.

• Climate and Environmental Factors: Climate change and environmental challenges can impact the availability and quality of certain ingredients, affecting the culinary offerings of a region. Unpredictable weather patterns, natural disasters, or environmental degradation may threaten the sustainability of local culinary experiences.

• Cultural Appropriation Controversies: Culinary tourism may face challenges related to cultural appropriation, where the commercialization of traditional cuisines without proper understanding or respect for cultural nuances can lead to controversies and backlash, potentially impacting market reputation.

• Overcommercialization and Standardization: Overcommercialization and standardization of culinary experiences can diminish their authenticity. If destinations prioritize mass appeal over preserving local traditions, it may lead to a loss of unique culinary identities, reducing the attractiveness of the location for culinary tourists.
• Economic Downturns and Global Crises: Economic downturns or global crises, such as financial recessions or geopolitical conflicts, can have a substantial impact on travel budgets. Reduced disposable income and uncertainties about the future may result in a decline in overall travel, affecting the demand for culinary tourism experiences.

Category-Wise Insights

By Activity Type:

• Culinary Trails: Culinary trails involve curated journeys exploring local cuisines across multiple destinations. Trends include thematic trails focusing on specific cuisines or ingredients, providing travelers with a comprehensive and immersive culinary experience, promoting regional diversity, and attracting food enthusiasts seeking gastronomic adventures.

• Cooking Classes: Cooking classes offer hands-on experiences, allowing participants to learn and create dishes under expert guidance. Trends include virtual cooking classes, personalized workshops, and collaborations with local chefs, enhancing culinary skills and fostering a deeper connection to destination cultures.

• Restaurants: Restaurants are integral to culinary tourism, offering diverse dining experiences. Trends include a focus on farm-to-table concepts, sustainable practices, and innovative menu creations, catering to the increasing demand for unique and locally inspired culinary adventures.

• Food Festivals: Food festivals bring together diverse cuisines and culinary traditions in one location. Trends include themed festivals, showcasing local specialties, and incorporating interactive elements, creating vibrant culinary atmospheres that attract both locals and tourists seeking diverse and festive gastronomic experiences.
• Others: The “Others” category encompasses various culinary tourism activities beyond the defined segments. This may include street food tours, vineyard visits, or culinary-focused cultural events. Trends involve innovative and niche experiences, catering to specific interests and evolving consumer preferences within the broader culinary tourism landscape.

By Application

• Travel Agency: Culinary tourism for travel agencies involves curating and organizing food-centric travel experiences. Agencies design culinary tours, cooking classes, and gourmet adventures, offering tourists a curated exploration of global cuisines. The trend includes personalized itineraries, exclusive dining events, and collaborations with local chefs for a comprehensive and memorable culinary journey.

• Ordinary Tourists: Ordinary tourists in culinary tourism represent individuals seeking authentic food experiences during their travels. These tourists explore local cuisines, attend food festivals, and engage in culinary activities, contributing to the market’s growth. Trends include a rising interest in street food, farm-to-table experiences, and food-related cultural immersion.

• Others: The “others” category in culinary tourism involves diverse segments beyond traditional travel agencies and ordinary tourists. This can include culinary education institutions, event organizers, and specialized food-focused businesses. Trends within this segment encompass the integration of technology, virtual culinary experiences, and collaborations with non-traditional partners to diversify culinary offerings.

By Geographic Focus

• Local Guidance: Local guidance in culinary tourism focuses on exploring the food culture within a specific locality. This involves guided tours led by locals who provide insights into regional culinary traditions, hidden gems, and local eateries, creating a personalized and immersive experience for visitors.

• National Tours: National culinary tours span a country’s diverse culinary landscape. These tours explore the richness of national cuisines, highlighting iconic dishes and regional specialties. National culinary tourism emphasizes cultural diversity and unique culinary traditions within a single country.

• International Tours: International culinary tours involve global exploration of diverse cuisines. Travelers experience the culinary delights of different countries, sampling authentic dishes, attending food festivals, and engaging in cooking classes. International culinary tourism fosters a global appreciation for gastronomic diversity.

Report Scope

Culinary Tourism Market – Regional Analysis

The Culinary Tourism Market is segmented into various regions, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. Here is a brief overview of each region:

• North America: In North America, culinary tourism trends focus on the rise of food trucks and street food culture. Popularity for farm-to-table dining experiences is increasing, reflecting a preference for locally sourced ingredients. Additionally, there’s a surge in culinary festivals celebrating diverse cuisines and promoting sustainable practices.

• Europe: Europe emphasizes heritage dining experiences, where culinary tourism trends revolve around exploring traditional and historic eateries. Food and wine pairing tours gain traction, highlighting the region’s rich vineyards. The rise of Michelin-starred restaurants and gastronomic events showcases Europe’s commitment to culinary excellence.

• Asia-Pacific: In the Asia-Pacific, culinary tourism trends include the growing popularity of food markets and night markets, providing a diverse range of street food. Cooking classes and interactive culinary experiences, especially in countries like Thailand and Japan, appeal to travelers seeking hands-on engagement with local cuisines.

• LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, and Africa): LAMEA sees trends in culinary tourism centered on the promotion of exotic and indigenous ingredients. There’s a rise in culinary tours exploring local spices, unique cooking techniques, and traditional dishes. Culinary festivals celebrating regional flavors contribute to the region’s appeal to food enthusiasts.

Competitive Landscape – Culinary Tourism Market

The Culinary Tourism Market is highly competitive, with a large number of manufacturers and retailers operating globally. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Epicurean Ways
• The International Kitchen
• Food N’ Wine Vacations
• Gourmet On Tour
• Eating Italy Food Tours
• Devour Tours
• Taste Hungary
• Local Montreal Food Tours
• Eating Europe Food Tours
• Food Tour Pros
• Secret Food Tours
• Viator (a TripAdvisor company)
• Culinary Backstreets
• Epicurean Travel
• Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
• Others

These companies operate in the market through various strategies such as product innovation, mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships.

Newcomers like Culinary Explorer and Gourmet Traveller Tours are adopting innovation to enter the culinary tourism market, leveraging technology for seamless bookings and offering unique gastronomic experiences. Dominant players like Devour Tours and Eating Europe Food Tours maintain market dominance through established brand recognition, extensive networks, and continuous innovation.

These key players invest in digital platforms, collaborate with local communities, and introduce thematic culinary experiences, creating a competitive edge. Their ability to adapt to evolving consumer preferences and offer diverse, immersive culinary adventures solidifies their leadership positions in the dynamic culinary tourism landscape.

The Culinary Tourism Market is segmented as follows:

By Activity Type

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

By Application

• Travel Agency
• Ordinary Tourists
• Others

By Geographic Focus

• Local Guidance
• National Tours
• International Tours

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America