While some people travel to take in iconic sites like the Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower, others have their eyes on other endeavors when they head to a new destination. According to a recent consumer survey by Panterra, 41% of domestic travelers and 38% of international travelers consider food and drink one of the most sought-after experiences while traveling. From food tours to tasting rooms, there are numerous ways to get a ‘taste’ of your destination. AirBnb recently released data on the most in-demand experiences that travelers are looking to experience and honestly, I’m down to try them all.
Among the top culinary experiences were tasting French cheese with cheesemongers in Paris, making fresh pastries with The French Bastards, wine tasting with sommeliers, exploring Santa Monica Farmers Market with an award-winning chef, and drinking matcha during a tea ceremony in Tokyo. Twist my arm, why don’t ya!
All of this data is in alignment with other recent research that has shown a rapid increase in interest in culinary tourism. For example, culinary tourism in the U.S. alone clocked in at approximately $2698 million in 2024 and is projected to grow 19.2% from 2025 to 2030.”Travelers seek opportunities to immerse themselves in local cuisines, and food-related activities such as food festivals, cooking classes, and visits to farms or vineyards have become popular attractions,” according to Grand View Research.
All I know is that we are full swing into summer and it’s the perfect time to go exploring (and tasting).
