The Culinary Travel Experiences Industry is projected to grow significantly, rising from an estimated USD 35.8 billion in 2025 to USD 95.4 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 12.9% over the forecast period.
MARKET SIZE AND SHARE
The global Culinary Travel Experiences Market is expected to expand from USD 35.8 billion in 2025 to USD 95.4 billion by 2033, reflecting a CAGR of 12.9%. Market share is becoming increasingly competitive as traditional travel companies and new entrants vie for a larger portion of this lucrative sector, driven by rising consumer interest in authentic, food-based journeys.
Market share distribution is fragmented, with no single player dominating globally. However, specialized tour operators and online travel platforms focusing exclusively on gastronomic tours are capturing substantial segments. Established travel brands are also aggressively expanding their culinary portfolios to protect and grow their market share, leading to strategic acquisitions and partnerships within the niche food tourism space from 2025 through 2032.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW AND STRATEGY
The culinary travel industry is characterized by a shift from passive dining to immersive, experience-driven journeys. Travelers now seek hands-on activities like cooking classes with local chefs, visits to farms, and authentic market tours. This evolution demands that providers offer more than just restaurant reservations, instead crafting narratives that connect food with local culture, history, and community, thereby creating deeper, more memorable travel experiences for a increasingly discerning and knowledgeable clientele.
Key strategies for success include hyper-localization and personalization. Companies are focusing on creating unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences that cannot be easily replicated. Forming strategic partnerships with local producers, renowned chefs, and distilleries is crucial for authenticity. A strong digital presence, leveraging social media and content marketing to showcase vivid culinary stories, is essential for attracting global foodies and differentiating offerings in a crowded and competitive marketplace.
REGIONAL TRENDS AND GROWTH
Europe currently leads the market, driven by its rich culinary heritage in Italy, France, and Spain, focusing on wine tours and traditional cooking. The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing, fueled by the diverse street food cultures of Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam. North America shows strong demand for farm-to-table and fusion food experiences. Sustainability and local sourcing are universal trends shaping offerings across all these mature and emerging regional markets.
Primary growth drivers include rising disposable income, social media influence, and the demand for authentic experiences. Key restraints are economic volatility and seasonality. Significant opportunities lie in leveraging technology for virtual previews and untapped emerging markets. The main challenges involve maintaining authenticity while commercializing experiences, managing supply chains for local ingredients, and adapting to the increasing regulatory pressures concerning health, safety, and environmental sustainability within the industry.
CULINARY TRAVEL EXPERIENCES MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS
BY TYPE:
The Culinary Travel Experiences Market by type is segmented into food tours, cooking classes, wine and beverage tours, street food experiences, farm-to-table experiences, luxury culinary experiences, and culinary festivals. Food tours remain the most popular due to their accessibility and the ability to explore local flavors in a guided format, especially in culturally rich destinations. Cooking classes are increasingly gaining traction among travelers seeking hands-on experiences and deeper engagement with local culinary traditions. Wine and beverage tours, particularly in Europe and North America, are witnessing growth driven by premium travel trends and interest in artisanal products. Street food experiences are highly favored in Asia and Latin America, reflecting the growing demand for authentic, immersive, and budget-friendly culinary travel options.
Luxury culinary experiences and farm-to-table experiences are emerging as dominant growth drivers due to rising disposable incomes, premium tourism, and the increasing preference for sustainable and organic food experiences. Culinary festivals attract large groups of international and domestic travelers, boosting regional tourism and local economies. Dominant factors driving this segment include increasing foodie culture, social media influence showcasing unique dining experiences, and the rising demand for experiential travel. The combination of traditional culinary immersion and innovative gastronomic experiences ensures diversified revenue streams across this market segment.
BY APPLICATION:
The market by application is divided into leisure travel, business travel, educational travel, cultural exploration, group tours, solo travel, and family travel. Leisure travel dominates as travelers seek unique experiences combining tourism with culinary exploration. Culinary travel is increasingly incorporated into holiday itineraries as part of cultural and lifestyle experiences. Educational travel, including culinary courses and workshops, is gaining popularity among travelers interested in skill acquisition and professional development, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Europe. Business travel applications are expanding as companies explore incentive programs and team-building activities centered on food experiences.
Cultural exploration drives demand for regional specialties, traditional cooking methods, and authentic dining experiences, particularly among international travelers. Group tours and family travel segments benefit from package tours and curated itineraries that provide convenience and safety. Solo travelers are also emerging as a niche segment due to the growing trend of personalized experiences and independent travel. Dominant factors influencing this segmentation include increasing disposable income, awareness of global cuisines, demand for experiential travel, rise of influencer-led travel content, and tailored tour offerings catering to diverse traveler motivations.
BY SERVICE PROVIDER:
Service providers in the culinary travel market include travel agencies and tour operators, online travel platforms, hotels and resorts, culinary schools, local guides, event organizers, and hospitality chains. Travel agencies and tour operators dominate due to their capability to offer curated, end-to-end culinary packages and manage logistics for travelers. Online travel platforms are rapidly gaining traction because of convenience, real-time booking, personalized recommendations, and customer reviews. Hotels and resorts leverage culinary experiences as a value-added service to attract high-spending travelers seeking immersive stays. Culinary schools are becoming popular among travelers seeking hands-on educational experiences in local cuisine and gastronomy.
Local guides and event organizers are critical to providing authentic experiences, such as street food tours, wine tastings, and cultural food festivals. Hospitality chains increasingly integrate farm-to-table and luxury culinary experiences into their offerings to enhance brand positioning. Dominant factors in this segment include digital transformation in bookings, partnerships between travel operators and culinary experts, consumer preference for customized experiences, and the reputation and credibility of providers in delivering authentic culinary journeys. The ability to combine technology, local expertise, and experiential offerings is a key growth driver for service providers.
BY TRAVELER TYPE:
Traveler types include domestic travelers, international travelers, millennial travelers, Gen Z travelers, retirees or senior travelers, couples, and families. Domestic travelers dominate in emerging markets due to affordability and convenience, often engaging in weekend getaways, street food tours, and cultural culinary experiences. International travelers drive premium experiences, such as luxury culinary tours, wine tastings, and culinary festivals. Millennials and Gen Z travelers are key growth drivers, as they seek Instagrammable, experiential travel with a focus on sustainability, authenticity, and adventure.
Retirees and senior travelers prefer leisurely culinary tours, cultural exploration, and farm-to-table experiences, often seeking comfort and safety. Couples and families are increasingly participating in curated culinary packages and educational experiences for bonding and leisure. Dominant factors include rising disposable incomes, awareness of global cuisines, health and wellness-focused food trends, social media influence, travel personalization, and growing interest in culinary skills acquisition. Demographic preferences and psychographic trends shape the development of customized itineraries and niche experiences.
BY EXPERIENCE DURATION:
Experience duration is segmented into short-term (1–3 days), mid-term (4–7 days), long-term (8+ days), weekend getaways, week-long packages, extended tours, and seasonal experiences. Short-term and weekend getaways are increasingly popular due to urbanization, time constraints, and the growing preference for quick, immersive culinary experiences. Mid-term and week-long packages allow travelers to explore regional cuisines, attend workshops, and participate in festivals while balancing leisure and cultural exploration. Long-term and extended tours are favored by international travelers seeking deep culinary immersion, including farm stays, cooking schools, and regional gastronomic exploration.
Seasonal experiences such as harvest festivals, wine tasting events, and street food fairs are highly attractive to travelers seeking culturally timed experiences. Dominant factors in this segment include travel convenience, affordability, vacation planning preferences, cultural and seasonal availability, and the desire for hands-on participation. Providers strategically design packages according to duration preferences, ensuring flexibility while maximizing engagement and revenue generation.
BY BOOKING MODE:
Booking modes include online booking, offline booking, mobile apps, travel agencies, direct booking with service providers, package deals, and customized tours. Online booking dominates due to convenience, real-time availability, competitive pricing, and user reviews that influence travel decisions. Mobile apps are gaining prominence for instant bookings, personalized recommendations, and integration with social media platforms, particularly among younger travelers. Offline bookings through traditional travel agencies remain relevant in regions where digital penetration is low or travelers prefer human assistance for planning complex culinary itineraries.
Direct booking with service providers, package deals, and customized tours are increasingly preferred for specialized experiences such as cooking classes, farm-to-table stays, and culinary festivals. Dominant factors driving this segment include digital transformation in the travel industry, consumer confidence in online transactions, demand for personalization, ease of access to global experiences, and trust in reputed providers. Providers leveraging omnichannel booking strategies are better positioned to capture diverse traveler preferences and enhance market share.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- In Jan 2024: Black Tomato launched ""The Michelin Quest,"" a series of ultra-luxury trips offering exclusive access to three-Michelin-starred restaurants and private chef collaborations globally.
- In Mar 2024: Airbnb Experiences significantly expanded its ""Cooking"" category, adding thousands of new local-hosted classes and market tours to capitalize on the growing demand for hyper-local and authentic food immersion.
- In Jun 2024: The International Culinary Tourism Association introduced a new certification program for food tour guides, aiming to standardize quality and professionalism within the rapidly expanding industry.
- In Sep 2024: Butterfield & Robinson acquired a specialty Spanish food tour operator, strengthening its regional footprint and gourmet cycling itinerary portfolio in a key European market.
- In Nov 2024: World Expeditions integrated ""Food for Thought"" philanthropic culinary projects, allowing travelers to participate in community cooking initiatives, blending adventure with social impact.
KEY PLAYERS ANALYSIS
- Abercrombie & Kent
- Black Tomato
- Intrepid Travel
- G Adventures
- TUI Group
- Butterfield & Robinson
- Backroads
- Classic Journeys
- The Travel Corporation
- Exodus Travels
- Lindblad Expeditions
- Airbnb Experiences
- Viator (a Tripadvisor company)
- Withlocals
- Culinary Vacations
- Gourmet on Tour
- ITC Luxury Travel
- Scott Dunn
- Jacada Travel
- Kensington Tours
