Global Gastronomy/Food Tourism Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Global Gastronomy/Food Tourism Market Size

The global gastronomy/food tourism market value was approximately USD 961.50 billion in 2023. The market is assessed to grow at a CAGR of 17.3% between 2024 and 2032 to attain a value of around USD 4,056.12 billion by 2032.

Global Gastronomy/Food Tourism Market Outlook

Food tourism, variously known as gastronomy or culinary tourism, refers to a category of tourism that encompasses experiencing food from different cultures and regions. Food travellers seek destinations that can provide them with a chance to experience local cuisines. Some common food tourism activities are visiting local markets, attending food festivals, joining cooking classes, trying street food, and touring breweries and wineries.

• One of the significant market trends is the growing participation of leisure tourists in unique culinary activities. As travellers are actively seeking authentic experiences for their personal growth, food tourism activities that offer authentic culinary experiences and reflect local culture are gaining popularity.

• Travellers are also shifting from fine dining establishments to food festivals, street vendors, and food halls to experience authentic regional dishes made with local ingredients.

• The development of food-focused travel websites and apps such as EatWith, Yelp, and Opentable, among others, that can provide travellers with information about local cuisines, food tourism, and top restaurants, among others, is expected to increase the global gastronomy/food tourism market revenue.

• Moreover, governments are introducing various initiatives to promote food tourism such as arranging food walks and encouraging participation in cooking classes and culinary trials to enhance their economic development.

• Sustainability has emerged as a crucial metric in the tourism sector and a point of concern for travellers. Hence, the gastronomy/food tourism demand is being supported by the rising interest of travellers in food sourcing tours to understand the harvesting, transportation, and cooking of local foods as well as the surging inclination towards food establishments using natural and local raw materials.

Recent Developments

In February 2024, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) organised the 8th Edition of the Bahrain Food Festival, aimed at improving the culinary experience of tourists and providing them with the opportunity to discover authentic dishes.

Culinary Diversity Supports the Gastronomy/Food Tourism Market Growth Worldwide

• The global gastronomy/food tourism market benefits from the rich culinary diversity of various regions, offering unique experiences to tourists.

• There is an increasing interest in food tourism as travelers seek authentic and immersive experiences, driving market growth.

• Food tourism significantly contributes to the local economy by supporting local food producers, restaurants, and related businesses.

• Food tourism can be effectively marketed through social media and travel blogs, attracting a broad audience.

• Food tourism is less affected by seasonality compared to other tourism sectors, as culinary experiences are available year-round.

Infrastructure Challenges Can Impede the Development of Food Tourism

• Inadequate infrastructure in some regions can hinder the growth of the gastronomy/food tourism industry. 

• Ensuring consistent quality and safety standards across diverse regions can be challenging.

• The market is highly competitive, with numerous destinations vying for attention.

• Variability in local produce availability can affect the consistency of food tourism experiences.

• Communication barriers can deter tourists from fully enjoying their culinary experiences.

Increasing Awareness about Health and Wellness is among the Key Gastronomy/Food Tourism Industry Trends

• The rising trend of health and wellness tourism presents opportunities for destinations to offer organic and healthy culinary experiences.

• The use of technology, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, can enhance food tourism experiences.

• Collaborations between tourism boards, local businesses, and international organizations will likely positively influence the gastronomy/food tourism demand forecast.

• Emphasizing sustainable and eco-friendly culinary practices can attract environmentally conscious travelers.

• Offering culinary classes and workshops can attract tourists interested in learning about local cuisine, leading to gastronomy/food tourism demand growth.

Economic Downturns Influence Spending on Gastronomy Tourism

• Economic instability can reduce disposable income, leading to decreased spending on travel and tourism.

• Foodborne illnesses and health scares can deter tourists from participating in food tourism.

• Political unrest in certain regions can negatively impact tourism, including food tourism.

• Climate change and environmental degradation can affect local food production, negatively impacting the gastronomy/food tourism market growth.

• Rapid changes in consumer preferences and dietary restrictions can pose challenges for food tourism providers to keep up with trends.

Market Competition in the Global Food Tourism Market

• The global food tourism market is influenced by leading players leveraging extensive resources, advanced production technologies, and strong distribution networks.

• Companies differentiate their offerings by emphasizing quality, authenticity, and unique culinary experiences, such as local specialties and cultural culinary tours.

• Competitive pricing plays a crucial role, influenced by local cost of living, availability of local ingredients, and the overall economic environment.

• Increasing innovations, that offer unique culinary experiences, and the technology integration like virtual reality food tastings and sustainable practices, are expected to support the gastronomy/food tourism market dynamics and trends.

• Strategic locations and partnerships with local chefs, farmers, restaurants, and tourism boards enhance market reach and attract a broader audience, which is expected to increase gastronomy/food tourism market opportunities.

• Sustainable and ethical sourcing of ingredients is a key differentiator, attracting eco-conscious travelers and supporting local economies.

• Strong customer relationships, exceptional service, personalized experiences, and post-tour engagement ensure repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.

• Efficient supply chain management maintains quality and consistency of food offerings through reliable sourcing, effective logistics, and strong coordination with local suppliers.

Key Drivers Shaping the Global Food Tourism Market

• Growing interest in food tourism drives market expansion.

• Significant contributions to local economies by supporting food producers, restaurants, and related businesses.

• Social media and travel blogs promote food tourism.

• Culinary experiences available year-round, unaffected by seasonality.

• Consistent stream of visitors and stable revenue for local businesses.

• Highly competitive market with numerous destinations vying for attention.

Factors Influencing the Global Food Tourism Market

• Pricing in the food tourism market is influenced by the local cost of living, ingredient availability, and economic conditions.

• Local ingredient costs significantly impact overall pricing. Regions offering abundant and affordable produce have a competitive edge, leading to the gastronomy/food tourism market development.

• Economic conditions and supply chain costs, including transportation and logistics, play a critical role in final pricing.

• Seasonal variations in ingredient availability and supply chain efficiency affect prices.

• Personalized culinary tours, cooking classes, and exclusive dining experiences justify premium pricing.

• Sustainable and ethical sourcing practices can increase costs but appeal to eco-conscious travelers willing to pay more.

• Labor costs, including wages for chefs, tour guides, and support staff, influence pricing, with higher labor costs reflected in prices.

• Investments in technology, such as virtual reality tastings and online booking platforms, enhance the tourist experience but impact cost structures.

Global Gastronomy/Food Tourism Industry Segmentation

Based on activity, the gastronomy/food tourism market segmentation includes

• Culinary Trials

• Cooking Classes

• Restaurants

• Food Festivals And Events

• Others 

On the basis of tour type, the market can be divided into:

• Domestic

• International

By tourist category, the market is segmented into:

• Baby Boomers

• Generation X

• Generation Y

• Generation Z

The major regional markets for gastronomy/food tourism include:

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East and Africa

The comprehensive EMR report provides an in-depth assessment of the market based on the Porter's five forces model along with giving a SWOT analysis. The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the global gastronomy/food tourism market, covering their competitive landscape and latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, investments and expansion plans.

• The FTC4Lobe Group

• Greaves Travel Limited

• Butterfield & Robinson Inc.

• Abercrombie & Kent Ltd.

• TourRadar GmbH

• Gourmet on Tour

• Essor Ltd. (Secret Food Tours)

• California Corporation (International Culinary Tours)  

• Classic Journeys LLC

• India Food Tour

• Others

Global Gastronomy/Food Tourism Market Share by Age Group

Generation Y and Generation Z are expected to account for a significant portion of the market in the coming years. These generations are widely exposed to social media and various information sources and seek tourism activities enriched with culture and authenticity. Visitation of local food markets, cooking with locals, experimenting with street foods, and trying local dishes are important food tourism activities for these generations.

Due to high environmental and social consciousness among Gen-Z and Gen-Y, operators are increasingly offering sustainable food tours by minimising the use of disposables and reducing overall food wastage.

Global Gastronomy/Food Tourism Market Regional Insight

As per the gastronomy/food tourism industry analysis, the Asia Pacific has emerged as a hotspot for culinary tourism. Countries such as India, China, Thailand, Singapore, and South Korea, boast rich culinary cultures, attracting an increasing number of travellers seeking authentic and unique gastronomical experiences. Moreover, governments in the region are also encouraging food tourism activities as a form of economic development.

Europe is also expected to witness a healthy growth in the coming years due to the rising leisure travel and the growing number of food museums, wine trails, food festivals, and producer visits in the region. Food and beverages are also engraved in the cultures of countries such as Italy, France, and Belgium, among others, which is further boosting their appeal as food tourism destinations.

Competitive Landscape

India Food Tour is a company that offers customised culinary tour packages entailing Indian food tours, wine tasting, cooking classes, photo tours, and tea tasting. It also offers other aspects of tours like transportation, accommodation, sightseeing, and food, among others. It was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Delhi, India.

TourRadar GmbH, based in Vienna, Austria, is an adventure booking platform that provides multi-day organised adventures across the world. Its online platform connects travel agents and travellers with more than 2,500 multiday operators across over 160 countries. Since its inception in 2010, the company has been promoting sustainable travel.

The FTC4Lobe Group is the parent company of various renowned event and destination management and travel companies, Food Tour Corp, Thirst, 4Lobe Events, Gimmel Travel, and Welcome DMC. It offers cooking classes, food tours, hospitality, destination management services, drink and speciality gourmet tours, and special events across North America.

Other gastronomy/food tourism market players are Greaves Travel Limited, Butterfield & Robinson Inc., Abercrombie & Kent Ltd., Gourmet on Tour, Essor Ltd. (Secret Food Tours), California Corporation (International Culinary Tours), and Classic Journeys LLC, among others.

Key Highlights of the Report

Gastronomy/Food Tourism Market Report Snapshots

Gastronomy/Food Tourism Market Size

Gastronomy/Food Tourism Companies

Gastronomy/Food Tourism Market Regional Analysis