Culinary Tourism Market Size, Share, Growth and Forecast 2031

Report Description

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 12.61 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	11.19%
Fastest Growing Segment	Food Tours
Largest Market	Europe
Market Size (2031)	USD 23.83 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Culinary Tourism Market is projected to grow from USD 12.61 Billion in 2025 to USD 23.83 Billion by 2031 at a 11.19% CAGR. Culinary tourism involves travel undertaken primarily to experience the unique food and beverage culture of a specific region or destination. This experiential segment of the travel industry encompasses activities such as gastronomic tours, cooking classes, visits to local markets and wineries, and participation in food festivals. The market's expansion is fundamentally driven by increasing global consumer demand for authentic cultural immersion, rising disposable incomes in emerging economies fostering discretionary travel, and a growing interest in sustainable and locally sourced culinary experiences.

However, market growth could be impeded by significant challenges such as geopolitical instability or unforeseen global public health crises, which can severely disrupt international travel and consumer confidence. Despite these potential obstacles, the sector continues to demonstrate considerable vitality. According to the European Travel Commission, in 2024, travelers' expenditure on food and beverages in Europe was projected to surge by 30% compared to 2023, indicating a strong and sustained demand for gastronomic experiences within the region.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing demand for authentic local culinary experiences represents a significant driving force within the global culinary tourism market. Travelers are actively seeking immersive gastronomic adventures that offer genuine insights into local cultures and traditions, moving beyond conventional dining to engage directly with regional food systems. This manifests in desires for street food exploration, participation in cooking classes, and visits to local markets and farms, providing a deeper cultural connection. According to Alliance Connection, citing Skyscanner's 2026 Travel Trends Report, 68% of travelers indicate that sampling local food is the most effective way to understand a culture. This pursuit of authenticity drives destination choices and shapes travel itineraries, as consumers prioritize experiences that reflect the true essence of a location's culinary heritage.

The profound influence of social media and digital platforms further amplifies market expansion by shaping traveler aspirations and facilitating discovery. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok serve as key sources of inspiration, showcasing unique food destinations, local eateries, and culinary events through highly visual and shareable content. This digital exposure can rapidly elevate lesser-known culinary spots into global attractions, influencing booking patterns and itinerary development. According to TravelAge West, citing Expedia Group's 2025 Traveler Value Index, 73% of travelers report that influencer recommendations have led to their booking decisions. This pervasive digital influence is occurring within a robust travel environment; the same Expedia Group report in May 2025 indicated that 88% of respondents planned to travel in the subsequent 12 months, underscoring a strong consumer appetite for travel experiences that social media prominently highlights.

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Key Market Challenges

Unforeseen global public health crises represent a significant impediment to the growth of the culinary tourism market. Such events directly hamper market expansion by severely disrupting international travel and diminishing consumer confidence. Culinary tourism, inherently reliant on cross-border movement for authentic gastronomic experiences, becomes particularly vulnerable when health emergencies necessitate travel restrictions, border closures, or foster widespread health anxieties among potential travelers.

This disruption directly translates into quantifiable setbacks for the market. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, international visitor spending in the United States declined by 4.6% in 2025 compared to 2024. This reduction in international tourism expenditure, driven by challenges in visitor recovery, directly impacts specialized segments like culinary tourism. Consequently, planned gastronomic tours, cooking classes, and participation in international food festivals face cancellations or reduced patronage, thus stifling the market's overall expansion and revenue streams.

Key Market Trends

The prioritization of sustainable food tourism and eco-gastronomy represents a significant trend, driven by increasing traveler awareness of environmental and social impacts within the culinary market. This shift involves conscious choices by consumers to engage with experiences supporting local economies, promoting responsible sourcing, and minimizing ecological footprints. Travelers seek out farm-to-table establishments, businesses reducing food waste, and initiatives preserving local food systems. This commitment reflects a desire for positive impact through gastronomic journeys. According to the Booking.com 2025 research summary, 69% of surveyed travellers stated they wanted to leave the places they visited in better condition than they found them.

Another prominent trend is the growing demand for chef-led and immersive local culinary experiences, signifying a move towards deeper engagement with authentic food culture beyond traditional upscale dining. Travelers are increasingly drawn to opportunities for direct interaction with culinary experts through cooking classes, guided market tours, or dining at establishments showcasing generational chefs and local specialties. This preference reflects a desire for personalized, skill-based interactions offering genuine insights into regional foodways. These immersive experiences often carry a premium due to their unique and educational value. According to luxury travel club, 360 Private Travel, in November 2025, requests for authentic local dining experiences had nearly tripled compared to two years prior, indicating a significant surge in interest for these culturally connected gastronomic adventures.

Segmental Insights

The Global Culinary Tourism Market is experiencing significant expansion, with Food Tours emerging as a particularly fast-growing segment within this dynamic sector. This rapid growth is driven by travelers' increasing desire for authentic and immersive cultural experiences, where local cuisine serves as a primary motivator for exploration. Food Tours provide a structured yet intimate way to connect with a destination's identity, traditions, and local communities, offering insights beyond conventional sightseeing. Furthermore, the pervasive influence of social media platforms, which highlight unique culinary offerings and inspire food-centric travel, significantly contributes to the escalating demand for these guided gastronomic adventures. This confluence of experiential travel preferences and digital discovery propels the segment's robust development.

Regional Insights

Europe leads the global culinary tourism market due to its profound culinary heritage, offering a diverse array of unique regional traditions and specialties. The continent benefits from an exceptionally well-developed tourism infrastructure, which facilitates easy access to numerous culinary destinations. Furthermore, the strong emphasis on authentic experiences, coupled with the recognition of its gastronomy by institutions like UNESCO, significantly reinforces its position as a premier region for food-centric travel. This combination allows for immersive experiences, from local food markets to cooking classes, attracting travelers seeking cultural engagement through cuisine.

Recent Developments

In April 2026, The Cordish Companies' Live! Casinos & Hotels announced an exclusive culinary collaboration set to launch a specialty menu in May with a prominent voice in modern Asian cuisine. This partnership will introduce a curated selection of signature dishes at Luk Fu restaurants across Live! Casino & Hotel properties in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Louisiana. The collaboration is poised to enhance the dining experiences for guests, bringing a fresh and energetic culinary dimension to these world-class gaming and resort destinations. The new menu items are expected to debut sequentially at the various locations later in the year.
In March 2026, UN Tourism and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched the "Recipe of Change" initiative to combat food waste in the tourism sector. This collaborative effort involves major international companies, including Accor, Hilton, Radisson Hotel Group, and TUI Group, which collectively serve hundreds of millions of guests annually. The program encourages participating organizations to measure food waste and implement operational and behavioral solutions, building on previous successful pilots that achieved significant reductions. The initiative underscores the tourism sector's commitment to sustainable food systems, aiming to halve food waste by 2030.
In February 2026, The Chopping Block announced the expansion of its culinary travel experiences, focusing on immersive, hands-on cooking tours in international locations. This initiative aimed to provide travelers with deeper cultural context beyond typical recipes by connecting them with local producers, farmers, winemakers, and artisans. The itineraries, developed in partnership with Onward Travel, are designed to offer small-group participants structured yet flexible engagements in destinations such as Ireland, Iceland, and Tuscany. The company emphasized creating opportunities for travelers to understand how geography and history shape cuisine, fostering meaningful learning experiences.
In January 2026, EF Go Ahead Tours unveiled a new "Food Tours" collection, significantly expanding its offerings within the global culinary tourism market. This initiative introduced twenty small-group itineraries designed to immerse travelers in local cultures through cuisine. The collection included a partnership with America's Test Kitchen for a premium selection of tours, featuring elevated accommodations and multiple cooking classes or demonstrations. This launch aimed to meet the growing demand for authentic, experiential food-focused travel, with experiences ranging from visiting family-owned cheese farms to learning traditional tea ceremonies in various international destinations.

Key Market Players

Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC
Classic Journeys LLC
G Adventures Inc.
Greaves Travel India Private Limited
India Food Tour
ITC Travel Group Limited
The FTC4Lobe Group
The Travel Corporation
Topdeck Tours Ltd.
TourRadar GmbH

By Gastronomic Activity	By Marketing Activity	By Tourists Category	By Region
Food Tours Visit to Markets and Food Producers Food Fairs Food Events Museums Cookery Workshops Others	Food Guides Brochures Websites Blogs Events Publicity Others	Millennials Ba	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Culinary Tourism Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

Culinary Tourism Market, By Gastronomic Activity:

Food Tours
Visit to Markets and Food Producers
Food Fairs
Food Events
Museums
Cookery Workshops
Others

Culinary Tourism Market, By Marketing Activity:

Food Guides
Brochures
Websites
Blogs
Events
Publicity
Others

Culinary Tourism Market, By Tourists Category:

Millennials
Ba

Culinary Tourism Market, By Region:

North America

United States
Canada
Mexico

Europe

France
United Kingdom
Italy
Germany
Spain

Asia Pacific

China
India
Japan
Australia
South Korea

South America

Brazil
Argentina
Colombia

Middle East & Africa

South Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Culinary Tourism Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Culinary Tourism Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Global Culinary Tourism Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]

Table of content

1. Product Overview

1.1. Market Definition

1.2. Scope of the Market

1.2.1. Markets Covered

1.2.2. Years Considered for Study

1.2.3. Key Market Segmentations

2. Research Methodology

2.1. Objective of the Study

2.2. Baseline Methodology

2.3. Key Industry Partners

2.4. Major Association and Secondary Sources

2.5. Forecasting Methodology

2.6. Data Triangulation & Validation

2.7. Assumptions and Limitations

3. Executive Summary

3.1. Overview of the Market

3.2. Overview of Key Market Segmentations

3.3. Overview of Key Market Players

3.4. Overview of Key Regions/Countries

3.5. Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, Trends

4. Voice of Customer

5. Global Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

5.1. Market Size & Forecast

5.1.1. By Value

5.2. Market Share & Forecast

5.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity (Food Tours, Visit to Markets and Food Producers, Food Fairs, Food Events, Museums, Cookery Workshops, Others)

5.2.2. By Marketing Activity (Food Guides, Brochures, Websites, Blogs, Events, Publicity, Others)

5.2.3. By Tourists Category (Millennials, Ba)

5.2.4. By Region

5.2.5. By Company (2025)

5.3. Market Map

6. North America Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.1.1. By Value

6.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

6.2.2. By Marketing Activity

6.2.3. By Tourists Category

6.2.4. By Country

6.3. North America: Country Analysis

6.3.1. United States Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

6.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.1.1.1. By Value

6.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.1.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

6.3.1.2.2. By Marketing Activity

6.3.1.2.3. By Tourists Category

6.3.2. Canada Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

6.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.2.1.1. By Value

6.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.2.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

6.3.2.2.2. By Marketing Activity

6.3.2.2.3. By Tourists Category

6.3.3. Mexico Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

6.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.3.1.1. By Value

6.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.3.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

6.3.3.2.2. By Marketing Activity

6.3.3.2.3. By Tourists Category

7. Europe Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.1.1. By Value

7.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

7.2.2. By Marketing Activity

7.2.3. By Tourists Category

7.2.4. By Country

7.3. Europe: Country Analysis

7.3.1. Germany Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

7.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.1.1.1. By Value

7.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.1.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

7.3.1.2.2. By Marketing Activity

7.3.1.2.3. By Tourists Category

7.3.2. France Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

7.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.2.1.1. By Value

7.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.2.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

7.3.2.2.2. By Marketing Activity

7.3.2.2.3. By Tourists Category

7.3.3. United Kingdom Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

7.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.3.1.1. By Value

7.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.3.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

7.3.3.2.2. By Marketing Activity

7.3.3.2.3. By Tourists Category

7.3.4. Italy Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

7.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.4.1.1. By Value

7.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.4.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

7.3.4.2.2. By Marketing Activity

7.3.4.2.3. By Tourists Category

7.3.5. Spain Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

7.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.5.1.1. By Value

7.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.5.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

7.3.5.2.2. By Marketing Activity

7.3.5.2.3. By Tourists Category

8. Asia Pacific Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.1.1. By Value

8.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

8.2.2. By Marketing Activity

8.2.3. By Tourists Category

8.2.4. By Country

8.3. Asia Pacific: Country Analysis

8.3.1. China Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

8.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.1.1.1. By Value

8.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.1.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

8.3.1.2.2. By Marketing Activity

8.3.1.2.3. By Tourists Category

8.3.2. India Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

8.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.2.1.1. By Value

8.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.2.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

8.3.2.2.2. By Marketing Activity

8.3.2.2.3. By Tourists Category

8.3.3. Japan Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

8.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.3.1.1. By Value

8.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.3.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

8.3.3.2.2. By Marketing Activity

8.3.3.2.3. By Tourists Category

8.3.4. South Korea Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

8.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.4.1.1. By Value

8.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.4.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

8.3.4.2.2. By Marketing Activity

8.3.4.2.3. By Tourists Category

8.3.5. Australia Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

8.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.5.1.1. By Value

8.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.5.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

8.3.5.2.2. By Marketing Activity

8.3.5.2.3. By Tourists Category

9. Middle East & Africa Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.1.1. By Value

9.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

9.2.2. By Marketing Activity

9.2.3. By Tourists Category

9.2.4. By Country

9.3. Middle East & Africa: Country Analysis

9.3.1. Saudi Arabia Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

9.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.1.1.1. By Value

9.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.1.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

9.3.1.2.2. By Marketing Activity

9.3.1.2.3. By Tourists Category

9.3.2. UAE Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

9.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.2.1.1. By Value

9.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.2.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

9.3.2.2.2. By Marketing Activity

9.3.2.2.3. By Tourists Category

9.3.3. South Africa Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

9.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.3.1.1. By Value

9.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.3.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

9.3.3.2.2. By Marketing Activity

9.3.3.2.3. By Tourists Category

10. South America Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

10.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.1.1. By Value

10.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

10.2.2. By Marketing Activity

10.2.3. By Tourists Category

10.2.4. By Country

10.3. South America: Country Analysis

10.3.1. Brazil Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

10.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.1.1.1. By Value

10.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.1.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

10.3.1.2.2. By Marketing Activity

10.3.1.2.3. By Tourists Category

10.3.2. Colombia Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

10.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.2.1.1. By Value

10.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.2.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

10.3.2.2.2. By Marketing Activity

10.3.2.2.3. By Tourists Category

10.3.3. Argentina Culinary Tourism Market Outlook

10.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.3.1.1. By Value

10.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.3.2.1. By Gastronomic Activity

10.3.3.2.2. By Marketing Activity

10.3.3.2.3. By Tourists Category

11. Market Dynamics

11.1. Drivers

11.2. Challenges

12. Market Trends & Developments

12.1. Merger & Acquisition (If Any)

12.2. Product Launches (If Any)

12.3. Recent Developments

13. Global Culinary Tourism Market: SWOT Analysis

14. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

14.1. Competition in the Industry

14.2. Potential of New Entrants

14.3. Power of Suppliers

14.4. Power of Customers

14.5. Threat of Substitute Products

15. Competitive Landscape

15.1. Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC

15.1.1. Business Overview

15.1.2. Products & Services

15.1.3. Recent Developments

15.1.4. Key Personnel

15.1.5. SWOT Analysis

15.2. Classic Journeys LLC

15.3. G Adventures Inc.

15.4. Greaves Travel India Private Limited

15.5. India Food Tour

15.6. ITC Travel Group Limited

15.7. The FTC4Lobe Group

15.8. The Travel Corporation

15.9. Topdeck Tours Ltd.

15.10. TourRadar GmbH

16. Strategic Recommendations

17. About Us & Disclaimer

Report Description

Table of content

Figures and Tables

Frequently asked questions

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