The food tourism market is expected to be US$ 999,033.40 million in 2023 and US$ 4,112,489.40 million by 2033. The food tourism sector industry is to develop at a CAGR of 15.20% from 2023 to 2033.
With increased demand from travelers seeking unique culinary experiences, the food tourism sector is witnessing a strong market outlook. Consumers increasingly appreciate authentic local cuisine and are eager to visit new places to satisfy their gastronomic interests.
This trend has increased the number of food-focused travel firms, culinary tours, cooking workshops, international food shows and food festivals. Social media platforms and online reviews have helped to promote food tourism by allowing travelers to share their experiences and recommendations.
As more destinations see the economic potential of their local culinary offerings and engage in infrastructure and marketing initiatives to attract food-loving tourists, the food tourism sector industry may continue to grow.
Historical Comparison of Food Tourism Sector Market between From 2018 to 2022 and From 2023 to 2033
The food tourism sector is expected to grow significantly during the projection period. Food tourism adds a new dimension to the business, expanding it tremendously. The primary goal of the food tourism sector has been to promote the regional characteristics of various tourist destinations and attract a bigger number of tourists to these destinations.
Currently, the industry attracts 5382.3 million tourists every year, a figure that is anticipated to rise dramatically in the next years. The governments of many countries are attempting to encourage tourism in their own countries by advertising and marketing their regional cuisine; this is projected to significantly increase the food tourism sector business. As a result, the outlook for the food tourism sector appears to be bright.
An Increase in Home Cooked Food and Meal Sharing Would Boost the Food Tourism Sector
The primary motive for choosing destinations for tourism has not been the food, but it does remain the secondary and one of the most important factors while planning a travel. There has been an increasing trend among tourists to taste the local cuisine.
This has made options like home-cooked food and meal sharing very popular. The tourists are excited to share meals with the local families, and the tour operators have also started offering these options in their tour packages. This is expected to help boost the food tourism sector market.
International Culinary Tours
Cooking Classes Are Rising in Popularity among the Tourists
While food tourism has primarily been about exploring different tastes and developing a sensory experience at different destinations, recently it has also become a way for tourists to immerse themselves into the local culture and learn more about the place they are visiting.
The most popular way of this has been local cooking classes; these classes offer tourists special cooking lessons, the person conducting the classes is most often a local person who has deep knowledge about the local cuisine and can impart it to the tourists. These classes have immensely helped in boosting the food tourism sector market.
Country-Wise Insights
The food tourism sector in North America is experiencing significant growth and has become a thriving food tourism sector industry. With its diverse culinary offerings and rich gastronomic traditions, the region attracts food enthusiasts from around the world. From food festivals and farmers markets to farm-to-table experiences and culinary tours, North America offers a wide range of options for tourists seeking immersive food experiences.
The food tourism sector market has witnessed an increase in food-focused itineraries, cooking classes, and food-themed events, catering to the growing demand for culinary adventures. This booming sector has stimulated local economies and fostered cultural exchange and appreciation for diverse cuisines across the continent.
Artistic presentation and a variety of spices make Indian cuisine widely popular
India’s food tourism sector industry is anticipated to expand the fastest due to the country’s abundance of traditional groceries. Additionally, curry, spices, and diverse Indian foods are always viewed as works of art. Foreign tourists are drawn to Indian cuisine by this art.
The desire to learn more about Indian lifestyle, culture, and customs is another major factor driving the development of the food tourism sector of the country. Over the forecast period, this is anticipated to escalate the food tourism sector market.
The presence of high-quality restaurants and the popularity of traditional Japanese cuisine is boosting the market in Japan
The food tourism market in Japan has grown rapidly due to the exquisite delicacies that originate in the country. Japan’s cuisine is famously known as Washoku, which helps in attracting consumers from around the globe and is based upon traditional rice-based food items and miso soup. Tokyo, a city in Japan boasts of being the city with the highest number of Michelin stars restaurants in the world.
This along with the rising popularity of Japanese pop culture across the globe has risen the interest of people to try and explore traditional Japanese cuisine, boosting the food tourism sector market growth. The hospitality of the Japanese citizens and the wide variety of alcoholic beverages offered in Japan spur the food tourism sector industry ahead.
Efforts to preserve the essence of French cuisine are being made by the government
The government of France has started taking initiatives to improve the image of their tourism sector which has gained an image of arrogance. French cuisine has been popular worldwide due to the concept of ‘Fait Maison’ which translates to ‘Homemade’.
The essence of French pastries, artisanal cheese, and other food items depends on the freshness and the experience of eating them as soon as they are cooked. This essence is getting lost in today’s fast-paced food industry where frozen packaged food items are getting more popular day by day. The French government has introduced measures to preserve this important feature of their food tourism industry, urging the business and restaurants involved in the sector to preserve the quality of their food offerings.
This move is expected to keep the France food tourism sector lively and inflowing with consumers from around the world. The France food tourism industry is expected to grow at a steady rate and contribute a healthy amount of revenue to the global food tourism sector market.
Category – Wise Insights
Restaurants and food festivals remain the top preferred activities in the food tourism market
Restaurants remain one of the prominent categories based on the activity type in the food tourism sector. The majority of food tourism occurs as people travel to try out new restaurants and different cuisines. This is due to food tourism prominently occurring on a domestic scale, where people like to explore cuisine near them and have a relaxing experience.
Food festivals are one of the most prominent categories, where food festivals like the Pizzafest held in Naples, Italy and the Oktoberfest held in Germany attract millions of tourists to their attractions. This category boosts the international food tourism sector substantially.
Online booking channel leads the booking channels segment in the food tourism sector
The emergence of digitalization has affected the food tourism industry positively. The presence of different apps for bookings of restaurants, food festivals, cooking classes, etc. has made it easier for consumers to book their tours, while also providing them with a wide range of options. This has made online booking channels the leading booking channel in the food tourism sector.
Package traveler is the most popular tour type in the food tourism sector
The presence of reputed and experienced tour operators in the sector has improved the ease of traveling. The firms offer lucrative packages, ranging in prices, destinations, cuisine type, etc., and offer comprehensive end-to-end services to the consumer. This has helped the packaged traveler category become the most prominent tour type in the food tourism sector.
How can Manufacturers Scale their Businesses in the Food Tourism Sector Market?
- Develop unique culinary experiences and partnerships with local food vendors.
- Leverage social media platforms to promote food tourism offerings and engage with potential customers.
- Expand distribution channels by supplying local gourmet shops, hotels, and restaurants with food tourism products.
- Collaborate with tourism boards and travel agencies to include food tourism experiences in travel packages.
- Offer customizable food tours and tastings menus to cater to diverse preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Invest in marketing campaigns targeting food enthusiasts and tourists interested in culinary experiences.
- Maintain high-quality standards and focus on delivering exceptional customer service to generate positive word-of-mouth.
- Establish strategic alliances with popular food bloggers, influencers, and food-related media outlets for increased exposure.
- Competitive Landscape
The presence of important companies in the domestic safety locker industry has resulted in vendor competition. Limited branded and worldwide companies dominate the total food tourism sector market. The food tourism market players focus on aesthetic appeal, product technology, and add-on features that provide additional safety to differentiate their products from the competition.
The food tourism sector market players are likely to benefit from growing industrial expenditure, new infrastructure development, and growth in culinary tourism in the region. To acquire a competitive advantage, the players are increasing mergers and acquisitions. Due to improved infrastructure, the food tourism industry is expected to see an increase in rising sales.
Key Players
Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, Classic Journeys, LLC, G Adventures, Greaves Travel Ltd, India Food Tour, ITC Travel Group Limited, The FTC4Lobe Group, Topdeck Travel [Flight, Centre (Uk) Limited)], The Travel Corporation, Gourmeton Tour Culinary Adventures, International Culinary Tours, Butterfield & Robinson Inc.
These insights are based on a report on the Food Tourism Market by Future Market Insights.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
