Culinary Tourism Market Report 2024

This Culinary Tourism industry report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.

The culinary tourism market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $800.23 billion in 2023 to $924.8 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6%. The growth observed during the historic period can be attributed to several factors such as the rise of food-centric television shows, the proliferation of social media content related to food, increased global travel and exploration, the growing popularity of local and sustainable food movements, the expansion of food festivals and events, and a heightened interest in cultural and culinary heritage.

The culinary tourism market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.65 trillion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to several factors such as increasing disposable income and travel spending, a growing interest in experiential travel, the rise of personalized and niche culinary tours, a heightened focus on sustainable and ethical food practices, and the expansion of food tourism marketing by destinations. Major trends during this period include a growing interest in street food and local delicacies, the popularity of culinary workshops and cooking classes, the integration of culinary tourism with cultural and historical tours, the rise of plant-based and health-focused food tours, and the emergence of digital nomad-friendly culinary destinations.

The rising number of international travelers is expected to drive the growth of the culinary tourism market. International travelers, who cross national borders for purposes such as tourism, business, or education, are increasing due to improved global connectivity, higher disposable incomes, and a growing interest in diverse experiences. Culinary tourism enhances the experience of international travelers by allowing them to sample local dishes and gain insights into the culture and traditions of their destinations. For example, in February 2024, the International Trade Administration reported that the number of international visitors to the United States is projected to rise to 77.7 million in 2024, marking an increase of 10.4 million, or 15.4%, from the 67.3 million visitors recorded in 2023. This rise in international travel is expected to drive the growth of the culinary tourism market.

Key players in the culinary tourism market are developing programs that feature world-class and unique dining destinations to enhance the tourist experience. These programs provide accurate navigation to culinary destinations, personalized tour recommendations, and real-time information on local dining options. For instance, in November 2023, the West Virginia Department, a US-based government entity, introduced the West Virginia Culinary Trail. This initiative highlights top restaurants selected by the state's chef ambassadors, encouraging visitors to explore local cuisine. Participants can earn foodie prizes by checking in at these recommended eateries. The trail is continuously updated with new recommendations from ambassadors, inviting travelers to experience both the state’s culinary offerings and scenic landscapes.

In October 2021, City Experiences, a US-based travel and tourism company, acquired Devour Tours for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is aimed at expanding City Experiences' global reach, particularly in Europe and North America. By integrating Devour Tours into its Walks division, City Experiences plans to enhance its food tour offerings, accelerate expansion, and streamline growth processes. Devour Tours, based in Spain, specializes in guided food and drink tour services.

Major companies operating in the culinary tourism market are The Travel Corporation, City Experiences, Abercrombie & Kent USA LLC, Intrepid Travel Pty Ltd, TourRadar GmbH, G Adventures Inc., Viator Inc., Zicasso Inc., Secret Food Tours, Eating Europe Food Tours, Food Tour Corporation, Greaves Travel Ltd, The International Kitchen, Culinary Backstreets, India Food Tour, Classic Journeys LLC, Context Travel, Epicurean Ways LLC, Gourmet on Tour, The FTC4Lobe Group.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the culinary tourism market in 2023. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the culinary tourism market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the culinary tourism market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Culinary tourism involves traveling to different destinations to experience and savor their distinctive food and drink offerings, often through various engaging activities. This type of tourism provides travelers with an immersive experience of the culinary heritage and flavors of their destinations.

Key activities in culinary tourism include culinary trails, cooking classes, dining at restaurants, attending food festivals, and other related experiences. Culinary trails consist of organized routes or itineraries that guide tourists through locations renowned for their unique food offerings. Tourist types vary and include recreational, diversionary, existential, and experimental travelers, spanning different age groups such as baby boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z. Culinary tourism can focus on local, national, or international experiences, and is facilitated through various booking channels including online travel agencies (OTAs), tour operators, and direct travel arrangements.

The culinary tourism market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides culinary tourism market statistics, including culinary tourism industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a culinary tourism market share, detailed culinary tourism market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the culinary tourism industry. This culinary tourism market research report delivers a complete perspective on everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The culinary tourism market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as wine and brewery tours, culinary workshops, street food tours, and dining experiences. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


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