South America Culinary Tourism Market Outlook, 2029

South America, with its unique cultures, magnificent landscapes, and thriving culinary traditions, invites visitors on a culinary adventure unlike any other. From the tropical jungles of the Amazon to the windswept plains of Patagonia, the continent offers a diverse range of flavors, fragrances, and ingredients that reflect its distinct history, geography, and cultural heritage. As the world's palate gets more adventurous, South America's culinary tourism business is growing as a destination for foodies seeking unique and immersive experiences. South America's gastronomic attractiveness stems from its rich and diversified cuisine culture, which has been formed over ages by indigenous customs, European colonization, and African influences.

Each country in the region has a particular culinary character, with hallmark recipes, cooking techniques, and ingredients that reflect its unique topography, climate, and cultural heritage. From the ceviche of Peru to the feijoada of Brazil, the empanadas of Argentina, and the arepas of Colombia, South America's culinary landscape is as varied and vibrant as the continent itself. One of the distinguishing features of South America's culinary tourism sector is its emphasis on authenticity and tradition.

Travelers to the region can immerse themselves in local cuisine cultures by taking traditional cooking workshops, visiting lively markets, and dining at family-run establishments that have been serving generations-old dishes for millennia. Whether it's learning how to make Argentinean empanadas in Buenos Aires, sampling street food delicacies in Lima's vibrant markets, or savoring freshly caught seafood in Chilean coastal towns, culinary tourists in South America are treated to a plethora of unforgettable experiences that highlight the region's culinary riches and diversity.

According to the research report South America Culinary Tourism Market Outlook, 2029, the South America Culinary Tourism market is predicted to add with more than USD 70 Billion from 2024 to 2029. South America's culinary tourism business is also known for its dedication to sustainability and responsible sourcing. Many culinary tour operators and restaurants in the region prioritize locally sourced products, organic agricultural practices, and fair trade connections with local producers to ensure that culinary experiences are not only great but also environmentally and socially conscious.

From farm-to-table dining experiences in the Andean mountains to agro-ecological tours in the Brazilian jungle, culinary visitors in South America can support sustainable food systems and conservation initiatives while enjoying the continent's delicacies. South America's culinary tourism business has grown significantly in recent years, driven by a combination of factors such as increasing international travel, expanding interest in gastronomic experiences, and government programs to promote tourism development. Countries across the region have invested in culinary infrastructure, launched culinary festivals and events, and implemented marketing campaigns to showcase their culinary offerings to domestic and international travelers alike.

As a result, South America has become a sought-after destination for culinary adventurers seeking to explore the continent's diverse cuisines, cultures, and landscapes. South American cuisine has indigenous, European, African, and Asian influences. Culinary tourists may explore this cultural melting pot with foods like Peruvian-Japanese Nikkei cuisine, Brazilian-Portuguese feijoada, and Afro-Peruvian ceviche. South America has a wide range of culinary festivals and events throughout the year, showcasing anything from regional specialties to international cuisines. These events allow guests to try local cuisine, see cooking demos, and immerse themselves in the region's lively food culture.

Major Drivers

Increased food tourism: Food tourism is another important element driving the expansion of South America's culinary tourism business. As food experiences become a more important part of traveler’s vacations, South America's diversified and dynamic food culture has piqued the interest of foodies all over the world. From street food stalls and local markets to high-end restaurants and vineyard tours, the continent has a diverse selection of gastronomic experiences for travelers to enjoy and discover. This growing interest in food tourism has resulted in a surge in demand for culinary tours, cooking classes, food festivals, and other gastronomic experiences around South America.

Growth of digital platforms and social media: The expansion of digital platforms and social media has significantly increased interest in and demand for gourmet tourism in South America. Food bloggers, influencers, and travel enthusiasts frequently post about their culinary travels on social media, highlighting the region's unique cuisines and inviting their followers to visit. Furthermore, online travel platforms and review websites provide travelers with information and reviews on culinary experiences, making it easier to plan and schedule their culinary excursions in South America. The growing use of digital platforms and social media has helped to boost the prominence of South America's culinary tourism business, connecting culinary travelers with experiences and destinations that best suit their interests and preferences.

Major Challenges

Infrastructure and accessibility: One of the major challenges for the South American culinary tourism business is a lack of suitable infrastructure and accessibility in some areas. While popular tourist sites have well-developed culinary tourism infrastructure, such as restaurants, cooking schools, and food tours, more remote or rural areas may lack basic facilities and transportation networks. Limited access to culinary tourism locations might dissuade travelers and stifle market growth. Addressing infrastructure and accessibility challenges necessitates investment in transportation infrastructure, roadways, signage, and tourism amenities to increase connectivity and facilitate travel to culinary tourism hotspots around South America.

Based on the activity type segment market is segmented into culinary trials, cooking classes, restaurants, food festival and others. Cooking classes segment is expected to play major role in development of South America culinary tourism market.

Cooking workshops provide travelers with hands-on learning opportunities, allowing them to actively connect with local foods, cooking skills, and culinary traditions. Participants will have the opportunity to work alongside expert chefs and learn the secrets behind unique South American delicacies such as ceviche and empanadas, boosting their awareness and enthusiasm for the region's culinary legacy. Cooking workshops can be personalized to participant’s unique interests, preferences, and skill levels, making them appropriate for travelers of all ages and culinary backgrounds.

Whether it's a beginner's lesson focused on fundamental methods or an expert class exploring intricate regional delicacies, cooking classes provide flexibility and customization to meet the demands of individual visitors. Cooking lessons help the local economy by generating cash for local chefs, cooking instructors, and craftspeople. They also frequently include excursions to local markets or food producers, which promote sustainable agriculture and emphasize the significance of supporting local companies and food producers in South America. Cooking lessons serve as a springboard for greater cultural research, teaching learners about the history, traditions, and customs of South American communities through their culinary practices. Beyond simply cooking, instructors frequently give anecdotes and insights into the cultural significance of certain ingredients and dishes, giving students a comprehensive understanding of the region's food culture.

Based on the mode of booking segment the market includes Online travel agents (OTA), traditional agent, and direct booking. Among them online travel agents (OTA) is lead South America culinary tourism market. Based on tour segment the market includes domestic and international. Domestic tour is expected to lead the South America culinary tourism market.

OTAs offer guests a handy way to research, compare, and book culinary tourism experiences in South America from the comfort of their own homes. OTAs provide a streamlined booking procedure through user-friendly websites and mobile applications, allowing travelers to browse a diverse choice of culinary tours, cooking classes, food festivals, and dining experiences at their fingertips. OTAs provide a wide range of culinary tourism options throughout South America, catering to guests' unique interests and preferences. Whether tourists want immersive cooking courses, guided food tours, farm-to-table dining experiences, or culinary festivals, OTAs provide a wide range of alternatives to fit any taste or budget.

OTAs provide travelers with access to transparent information and user reviews, helping them make informed decisions about their culinary tourism experiences in South America. Travelers can read reviews from other travelers, view photos, and compare prices and ratings to find the best culinary experiences that meet their expectations. Domestic tourists are typically eager to learn about their own country's culinary traditions and regional cuisines. South America's culinary landscape is vast and diverse, with each country offering its own distinct flavors, ingredients, and cooking traditions.

Domestic tourists are keen to discover new culinary experiences in their own nation, which benefits local companies and helps to build the domestic culinary tourism market. Culinary tourism is important for fostering national identity and cultural heritage in South America. Domestic visitors are proud to promote and celebrate their home country's culinary heritage, sharing local meals, recipes, and culinary techniques with family and friends. Domestic tours that focus on regional specialties and local ingredients help to preserve and promote national identity and cultural variety across South America.

Based on the report market is divided into three major countries including Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. Brazil is expected to lead the South America culinary tourism market during the forecast period.

Brazil has a rich and diversified gastronomic scene that reflects its multicultural background and great geographical variety. From the seafood-rich cuisine of the coastal regions to the substantial meat-centric dishes of the interior, Brazilian cuisine has a diverse range of flavors, ingredients, and cooking styles that appeal to a wide range of travelers. Brazil is famous for its signature national meals, including feijoada, a substantial stew prepared with black beans and various types of pork; churrasco, a type of barbecue with skewered meats barbecued over an open flame; and moqueca, a savory fish stew cooked with coconut milk and spices.

These foods are cultural emblems of Brazilian identity, and they are popular with both natives and visitors. Brazil's dynamic street food culture is a popular destination for culinary tourists, with bustling markets, food stalls, and food trucks serving a variety of excellent and affordable snacks and meals. Travelers can enjoy typical street food favourites such as coxinha (deep-fried chicken croquettes), pastel (fried turnovers stuffed with various fillings), and acarajé (fried black-eyed pea fritters) while immersing themselves in the vibrant ambiance of Brazilian streets. Culinary tourism in Brazil allows guests to immerse themselves in the country's rich cultural heritage and traditions. Visitors can take traditional cooking workshops, go to local markets and food festivals, and eat at family-run restaurants that provide recipes passed down through generations.

Key participants in the culinary tourism business are constantly inventing and diversifying their services to meet the changing demands of guests. They are focusing on developing immersive, authentic, and locally sourced food experiences that go beyond standard dining. This includes tailored culinary excursions, chef-led cooking lessons, farm-to-table experiences, and collaborations with local food artisans. Top businesses are also incorporating technology to improve the client experience, such as using apps for personalized tour recommendations and online platforms for simpler booking and review. Furthermore, there is a greater emphasis on sustainability and responsible tourism, with top enterprises promoting environmentally friendly practices and supporting local communities. These efforts attempt to provide unique, memorable gastronomic experiences while building a closer connection between tourists and the local culture.

Recent Developments

Considered in this report

• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report

• Culinary Tourism market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Activity Type

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

By Mode of Booking

• Online travel agents (OTA)
• Traditional agents
• Direct booking

By Tour

• Domestic
• International

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. After this, the analyst started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once the analyst had primary data, they started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Culinary Tourism industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.


This product will be delivered within 2 business days.