The World Food Travel Association explains food tourism as “traveling for a taste of place to get a sense of place.”1 This is key for luxury travelers who love food. It’s more than just eating; it’s about diving into a culture, a city, or a town through their dishes. And it’s become a big deal in travel, merging food with adventures in 2024 and beyond.1
Luxury culinary tourism is about enjoying local food at its finest. It includes dining at top-notch restaurants, joining cooking lessons, mixing drinks, trying special chef menus, and more. From 2024 to 2030, this type of travel is expected to grow really fast by 7.6% every year, becoming the lead in luxury travel growth.1
Key Takeaways
- Culinary tourism and food adventures are a top travel trend, driven by luxury travelers who are also avid foodies.
- Luxury culinary tourism encompasses a range of experiences, from Michelin-starred dining to cooking classes and cocktail-making events.
- Luxury culinary travel is the fastest-growing segment of luxury travel, expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.6% between 2024 and 2030.
- Travelers seek unique dishes, cultural immersion through food, and new dining experiences when exploring a destination.
- Food tourism provides an opportunity for travelers to truly connect with a destination’s history, traditions, and local community.
What is Luxury Culinary Tourism?
Defining Food Tourism and Gastrotourism
The World Food Travel Association says food tourism is traveling to taste a place and understand it better.2 For luxury travelers, this is a top trend and a major reason to visit new or familiar places. Food lets you dive deep into a culture, a destination, or a community. With today’s focus on seeking special experiences when we travel, it’s no wonder food tourism is so popular.
Experience-Centric Travel for Luxury Foodies
Luxury culinary tourism is booming and invites you to taste local food in style.2 Imagine mixing luxury with food at top restaurants, cooking classes, unique chef-made meals, and more. This is the new face of enjoying food and travel together.
Luxury Culinary Travel Activities
From 2024 to 2030, luxury culinary travel is expected to rise by 7.6% each year, growing faster than any other luxury travel sector.2 Those interested love making food their main reason for travel. They search for special dishes, learn about cultures through local foods, and try new dining experiences.
Culinary Tourism and Food Adventures: A Growing Trend
Between 2024 and 2030, luxury culinary travel will speed up at 7.6% yearly.3 Those loving this trend see food as their top travel focus.
They’re eager to test out special dishes, explore cultures via food, and find new places to dine.3 Hilton’s study shows that more than half of travelers put top focus on these taste adventures.3 And an American Express poll revealed that 81% can’t wait to dig into food experiences overseas.
This includes enjoying local eatery vibes, checking out food fests, joining food and wine fun, and learning from chefs.
This all means that culinary trips are becoming a key part of how we holiday.
Statistics on Luxury Culinary Travel Growth
Between 2024 and 2030, luxury culinary travel is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.6%. It’s fast becoming the top choice in luxury travel.3
Activities Sought by Luxury Culinary Travelers
For those into this turn, food is the heart of their adventures. They seek out special dishes, dive into different cultures through eating, and look for new dining spots.3 Findings from Hilton reveals more than half of travelers rank food experiences high, no matter the age.3 And an American Express survey showed 81% are excited about trying new foods when outside their home countries.
This means getting to know the local food spots, enjoying food get-togethers, and savoring the best in food and wine are high on their lists.3
Top Destinations for Luxurious Culinary Experiences
USA: High-End World Cuisine in Major Cities
In big US cities, amazing restaurants are ready to thrill your taste buds. In New York, check out Rezdôra for Italian pasta and wine.4 Shuko offers special omakase meals, picked fresh by the chef.4
If your clients love festivals, New York City Wine & Food Festival is a must. It has top chef’s dinners and fun classes.4 New Orleans serves unique dishes like Cajun and Creole. With over 1,400 places to eat, your options are wide.4
In New Orleans, book a food or cocktail tour. It’s a great way to learn about the city’s food and drink culture.4 Don’t miss local favorites like Antoine’s and Café Du Monde.4
Mexico: Authentic Flavors and Delicious Cocktails
Head to Mexico City for a dining experience at Pujol. Try their famous dish, mole madre, by chef Enrique Olvera.4
Both Puebla and Oaxaca are known for mole. You can’t miss their authentic flavors.4
In Puebla, enjoy the unique mole poblano. Arrange a tour of the local market for your guests.4 Oaxaca, Mexico’s food hub, offers a chocolate-making workshop or mezcal tasting.4
Tequila or mezcal? Let your clients decide in Mexico. A visit to Tequila introduces them to the town’s famous spirit.4 Brazil’s gourmet food experiences include Hostellerie la Montagne, found in a small town. Chef Jean-Baptiste Natali shares his global journey through his food.4
Italy: Wine and Luxury Cooking Classes
From Tuscany’s rolling vineyards to Puglia’s ancient olive groves, Italy shines as a top culinary tourism and food adventures spot. Luxury cooking holidays are becoming very popular. These vacations let you ?pick fresh vegetables, cook with top chefs, see vineyards, and eat at fancy restaurants. You can also enjoy a meal cooked by local pros. It’s an amazing way to ??experience Italy fully!5
In Tuscany’s Chianti region, you find endless vineyards and family-run wineries. Let your clients enjoy a wine or olive oil tour. They’ll get to taste both with Tuscan snacks.5 All across Italy, there are pasta-making classes. Visitors learn to make pasta while sipping an Aperol Spritz or fine Italian wine.5
Japan: Culinary Variety From Street Food to Michelin Stars
Start your Japan adventure by visiting Tokyo’s Michelin-starred sushi spots. Sushi Marufuku, as seen in the 2024 Michelin Guide, is known for its dry-aged sushi made with special vacuum technology. Tokyo boasts more than 200 Michelin-starred eateries, surpassing cities like Paris, New York, and London.6 Discovering Tokyo’s famous dishes through a food tour shows how gourmet meals hide in simple spots.6
Tokyo’s Sushi and Michelin-Starred Restaurants
For a 400-year-old tradition, Kyoto is the place to be. Dive into a traditional tea ceremony to try Japanese green tea with some sweets. It’s a great way to get a taste of the culture.6
Kyoto’s Traditional Tea Ceremonies
Okinawa is perfect for seafood fans. Here, you can enjoy unique delicacies like green caviar, tiger prawns, and more. These dishes are served as fresh as possible.6
Okinawa’s Fresh Seafood Delicacies
In Kobe, you’ll find the finest Kobe beef in the world. A visit here is a must for anyone who loves steakhouses. It’s the birthplace of this world-renowned beef.6
Kobe’s Famous Beef
Singapore: Innovative Restaurants and Hotel Dining
In Singapore, you can taste dishes from around the globe. The city mixes Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European flavors. This makes it a top spot for culinary tourism and food adventures. It’s great for those who love to eat well and explore new tastes.
Award-Winning Hotel Restaurants
The PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay Hotel is home to Peach Blossoms. This Chinese restaurant has won many awards. Chef Edward Chong puts a modern twist on classic dishes. Try their Deep-fried Cigar Rolls with Black Truffle for a special treat.7
At Portman’s Bar, they serve an oriental afternoon tea with Champagne. There’s a two-hour free flow of bubbles with it. If you’re only in town for a short visit, check out the hotel’s 11-hour daycation deal. It lets you sample Singapore’s food scene, even if you don’t stay the night.7
Fusion Cuisine and Crossroads Cooking
Singapore’s food scene is really diverse. Meta mixes Korean, Japanese, and Western cooking for creative fusion cuisine.7 Another spot, Nouri, offers chef’s tasting menus. They combine dishes from many different food traditions.7
Unique Dining Experiences Like Sky Dining
For something truly special, try sky dining on the Singapore Flyer. You’ll eat up in the air with a view of the city’s skyline. It’s a taste trek perfect for enjoying great food while seeing the best of Singapore.7
Curated Culinary Travel Experiences
Culinary Travels by The Sophisticated Life has small group trips designed to explore a place’s history and culture through food and drink.2 You can join wine tastings, cooking classes, and food tours. Eating at top restaurants and trying local street food are also part of the fun. The aim is to give you an in-depth culinary journey beyond just eating local dishes.2
Guided Food Tours and Cooking Classes
These trips offer you chances to taste wines in places like France, South Africa, and Italy. You’ll visit vineyards and wineries in these places.2 They also include hands-on cooking classes and tours of local markets. These activities help you connect with the culture and traditions of the destination through food.2
Wine Tasting and Vineyard Visits
Join Culinary Travels for wine tastings in famous wine areas around the globe.8 You’ll get to see vineyards and wineries in Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. Learn about what makes each place’s wine unique, like their soil and how they make the wine.8
Immersive Cultural Experiences Through Food
These trips go beyond trying local dishes. They let you fully dive into the culture of the place you’re visiting.8 You might visit authentic markets, take cooking classes with locals, and eat at family-run spots. This way, you get a real feel for the region’s food culture and traditions.8
Planning Your Culinary Adventure
When you plan a culinary travel adventure, start by looking into the local food. Find out about the signature dishes and regional specialties. This way, you’ll really taste the authentic flavors of the place you visit.
Researching Local Cuisines and Specialties
Also, make sure to pick high-end places to stay and eat. Book luxury accommodations and tables at top restaurants. If Michelin-starred spots are on your list, book ahead. This will make your dining experiences stand out.
Booking Luxury Accommodations and Restaurants
It’s a good idea to work with experts in culinary travel. They know all the best places to eat. Plus, they can set up unique experiences just for you. Let them take care of the planning to make your trip smooth and memorable.
Working with Culinary Travel Experts
Conclusion
Culinary tourism and food adventures let luxury travelers dive deep into the history, culture, and tastes of new places.9 You can enjoy meals at top restaurants, attend cooking classes, or take wine tours. There’s so much for food lovers to do and explore.10 Be it Japan’s varied dishes, Mexico’s rich tastes, or Italy’s wine and cooking customs, food travel lets you really engage with a location.9
The interest in culinary travel has grown steadily, with a 20% uptick each year for five years.10 Those who’ve tried food tours while traveling gave them a high 95% satisfaction score.10 And, nearly 35% of a tourist’s spending goes to food experiences.10
When it comes to culinary tourism, caring for the planet and protecting cultures matter a lot.9 They focus on using local ingredients and helping small producers. Also, it’s a bridge for travelers to meet locals, share stories, and enjoy meals together.9
FAQ
What is food tourism and gastrotourism?
Why is food tourism a top travel trend for luxury travelers?
What activities are included in luxury culinary tourism?
How fast is the luxury culinary travel segment growing?
What are the top priorities for travelers interested in culinary experiences?
What are some popular culinary destinations and experiences?
What kind of curated culinary travel experiences are available?
How can travelers plan the best culinary adventure?
Source Links
- https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-food-tour-2023/
- https://discover.bedsonline.com/en-na/resources/insight/2024-travel-trends-luxury-culinary-tourism
- https://www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4120985.html
- https://www.savoredjourneys.com/worlds-best-foodie-vacations/
- https://italianculinaryadventures.com/
- https://boutiquejapan.com/food/
- https://www.stb.gov.sg/content/stb/en/industries/dining-and-retail.html
- https://oldwayspt.org/programs/culinary-travel-upcoming-trips
- https://curatatravel.com/blogs/curata-travel-blog/culinary-tourism-exploring-the-world-through-taste
- https://www.craftfoodtours.com/blog/5-reasons-to-do-food-tours-when-you-travel/