CULINARY ARTS TOURISM MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2024-2031)

Culinary Arts Tourism Market Size and Trends

The culinary arts tourism market is estimated to be valued at USD 13.66 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 45.63 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.8% from 2024 to 2031.

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The market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. Factors, such as increasing disposable income, growing passion for new cuisines and cooking experiences, social media influence, and customizable travel packages, are expected to drive more people towards culinary tours and activities. Food and culinary experiences are increasingly becoming an integral part of the travel and tourism experience. As travelers look for new and authentic ways to experience local culture, food travel will continue to open up new opportunities for tourism destinations and businesses. Customized itineraries, social media engagement, and focus on niche and specialized food experiences are expected to be key trends that boost the culinary arts tourism market in the coming years.

 Culinary experience

The desire to experience local cuisines has become one of the driving factors for culinary tourism. Travelling to new places is no longer just about sightseeing but also tasting diverse foods that tell the story of culture. People want authentic cooking experiences that allow them to peek into how local communities cook and eat. This provides a deeper feeling of immersing into a destination and connecting with locals on a more human level. Food tours, cooking classes, and cuisines unique to regions have become major attractions. Tourists looking for these experiences are willing to spend on private or group sessions with locals. Some destinations have witnessed entire economies developing around culinary tourism such as food specialties leading to employment for locals as chefs, guides, or small business owners. Festivals centered on cuisines have also sprung up in many destinations, further fueling this growing trend. As travel videos and food shows expand global exposure to diverse cuisines, the allure of experiencing culture through food also gives tourists memorable takeaways from their journey.

Changing global food habits and focus on wellness has given rise to new forms of culinary tourism. Demand for unique super foods, ancient grains, traditional fermented, and prebiotic foods from around the world has grown markedly. Travelers seek locales producing niche items to learn about their nutritional benefits and taste them in their place of origin. Growing interest in foraging, organic farming practices and sustainably sourced ingredients also pulls visitors towards destinations promoting these lesser known foods. Culinary adventure experiences coupled with health and wellness modules have found favor with particular tourist profiles. Even trends around vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and paleo diets mean tourist spots innovating local cuisine to suit these preferences see a rise in numbers. Food tourism that doubles up as an educational exploration of specialty local produce are appealing greatly to certain conscious consumer groups. In health retreats or farm stays, the concept of nourishment with a purpose aligns well with modern lifestyles. This allows regions with such distinctive food strengths to augment tourism revenues.