by The culinary arts tourism market allows tourists to immerse themselves in local cuisine through hands-on cooking classes, culinary walking tours, and multi-day cultural cooking experiences. Tourists get to visit local food producers, learn about indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques, and dine at small family-run restaurants. The growing popularity of culinary tourism is enhancing the economic prospects of local communities by promoting local food culture and businesses.
The Global Culinary Arts Tourism Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 13.66 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 18% over the forecast period 2024 To 2031.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the Culinary Arts Tourism are Abercrombie Kent USA, LLC, Greaves Travel Ltd, India Food Tour, Classic Journeys, LLC, The FTC4Lobe Group, The Travel Corporation, Gourmet on Tour, Culinary Adventures International, Culinary Tours, Butterfield Robinson Inc., International Culinary Tours, and Forks on the Road. These players provide domestic and international culinary tours and hands-on cooking classes.
The key opportunities in the culinary arts tourism market include specialized tours focusing on food pairing with wine/spirits, foraging experiences, multi-course meals prepared by acclaimed chefs, and tours highlighting indigenous ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Developing unique immersive experiences will help drives growth in the market.
Increased focus on local cuisine experiences and growing popularity of Culinary Arts Tourism Market Growth is propelling technological advancements like interactive cooking classes through virtual/augmented reality platforms, customized mobile apps for guided culinary trails, and online marketplaces for culinary tours and experiences. Such technologies are enhancing accessibility and engagement with local food culture.
Market Drivers
A key driver for the culinary arts tourism market is the growing popularity of experience travel where tourists want to engage with local communities through hands-on activities like cooking classes. Younger travelers especially are keen on learning about cultures through food. The rising number of domestic and international experiential trips focused on food and culinary traditions is fueling demand. Secondly, increased digitalization and proliferation of online tour and travel booking platforms have made it easier for tourists to browse, read reviews and book custom culinary travel itineraries driving higher access and volumes in the market.
Current challenges in Culinary Arts Tourism Market
The Culinary Arts Tourism Market faces multiple challenges currently. Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted tourism and travel industry across the globe. Various travel restrictions imposed by countries has led to decline in number of travellers. Social distancing norms has also changed consumer preferences and spending behaviour in short term. Other challenges include growing competition in the market. Several new players are entering the market lured by its strong growth potential. Established players need to constantly innovate and differentiate their product and service offerings to defend their market share. Changing consumer tastes and preferences also poses a challenge. Players need to keep updating their offerings basis latest food trends and culinary innovations.
SWOT Analysis
Strength: Growing popularity of food experiences and culinary themed trips. Availability of wide variety of cuisines, cooking styles, food tours and experiences across major tourist destinations.
Weakness: High overall cost of culinary tours and experiences restricts its mass appeal. Dependence on travel and tourism industry makes it vulnerable to macroeconomic fluctuations.
Opportunity: Emergence of online booking platforms expanding reach. Popularity of pop-up restaurants, unique dining concepts presents new opportunities.
Threats: Intense competitive pressure from local and global players. Possible over-commercialization may diminish authentic culinary experiences.
Geographical regions
North America accounts for the largest share in culinary arts tourism market currently, both in terms of value and number of culinary experiences. USA is a top spender on food experiences globally. Europe is the second largest market led by countries like Italy, France and Spain which attract food enthusiasts from across the world to experience their rich culinary heritage. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing regional market with China, Japan and Southeast Asian countries witnessing rise in culinary tourism in recent years.
The Middle East & Africa region is emerging as one of the fastest growing geographical market for culinary tourism. Countries like UAE, South Africa, Egypt and Morocco are aggressively promoting their indigenous cuisines and native food cultures to attract international visitors through culinary experiences. Significant efforts are being made to position key destinations as gastronomic hubs in coming years.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
