GITNUXREPORT 2025

Food Tourism Statistics

Food tourism significantly influences travelers, satisfaction, and local economies worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

57% of tourism boards have developed specific food tourism campaigns

Statistic 2

41% of tourists look for vegan or vegetarian food options when traveling

Statistic 3

59% of tourists prefer locally sourced ingredients in their meals while traveling

Statistic 4

64% of tourists believe food contributes significantly to their overall travel satisfaction

Statistic 5

54% of travelers pick their destinations based on the availability of unique food experiences

Statistic 6

34% of travelers are motivated by health food options when choosing travel destinations

Statistic 7

78% of respondents say that food is an essential part of their travel story

Statistic 8

76% of food tourists spend more than they planned on unique local dishes

Statistic 9

The global food tourism market was valued at approximately USD 34 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% through 2027

Statistic 10

55% of travelers would pay more for a destination with renowned local cuisine

Statistic 11

84% of travelers say that local cuisine influences their destination choice

Statistic 12

65% of international travelers try new foods when visiting a new country

Statistic 13

42% of travelers consider food as a major part of their travel experience

Statistic 14

50% of food tourists seek authentic dining experiences

Statistic 15

69% of travelers aged 18-35 are motivated by trying local cuisines

Statistic 16

54% of tourists use social media to find local food spots

Statistic 17

72% of culinary tourists participate in cooking classes or food workshops

Statistic 18

80% of travelers to Italy visit local markets to experience authentic food

Statistic 19

48% of travel companies offer food-themed travel packages

Statistic 20

38% of travelers plan their itineraries around local food festivals

Statistic 21

90% of tourists who participate in food tours recommend them to friends

Statistic 22

55% of food tourists are motivated by wanting to support local economies

Statistic 23

70% of visitors to Provence participate in wine and food tastings

Statistic 24

62% of travelers are interested in farm-to-table experiences

Statistic 25

47% of survey respondents said food tourism enhances their cultural understanding

Statistic 26

73% of people aged 25-44 seek authentic local foods during their trips

Statistic 27

53% of travelers consider local street food a must-try attraction

Statistic 28

85% of travelers who engage in food tourism are satisfied with their experience

Statistic 29

52% of destination marketing organizations incorporate food tours into their promotional strategies

Statistic 30

89% of participants in food festivals state that these events have increased their appreciation for local culture

Statistic 31

41% of travelers plan trips specifically to attend culinary festivals

Statistic 32

67% of food tourists explore local markets for souvenirs and food products

Statistic 33

78% of chefs and culinary experts believe food tourism can significantly boost their local gastronomy reputation

Statistic 34

59% of travelers prefer guided food tours over independent exploration

Statistic 35

70% of tourists associate their travel experiences with memorable food moments

Statistic 36

49% of international travelers dine at local eateries recommended by locals

Statistic 37

60% of travel agencies now offer food and wine tours as part of their product portfolio

Statistic 38

75% of food tourists say that trying regional beers and spirits is a highlight of their trip

Statistic 39

63% of travelers consider cooking local dishes at home after their trips as an extension of their travel experience

Statistic 40

88% of respondents to a Global Food Tourism report said they would recommend food tourism experiences to friends and family

Statistic 41

69% of millennials participate actively in food tourism, making them the largest demographic for culinary travel

Statistic 42

80% of tourists in Japan enjoy sampling traditional sushi and street foods

Statistic 43

45% of travelers say they have learned new cooking skills through food tourism activities

Statistic 44

78% of respondents participate in food tastings at least once during their trips

Statistic 45

59% of tourists use mobile apps to discover local food spots

Statistic 46

65% of tourists believe that food festivals foster community and social connections

Statistic 47

83% of travelers say that trying local desserts is a memorable part of their trip

Statistic 48

60% of culinary tourists are interested in sustainable and eco-friendly food practices

Statistic 49

72% of travelers visit vineyards and wineries as part of their food tourism experiences

Statistic 50

46% of food tourists plan their trips around tasting local cheeses

Statistic 51

87% of respondents said that local food markets provide an authentic cultural experience

Statistic 52

55% of tourists participate in farm visits combined with food tasting activities

Statistic 53

48% of travelers have increased their interest in food tourism due to social media influencers

Statistic 54

64% of people surveyed believe that culinary travel helps preserve traditional recipes and cooking techniques

Statistic 55

59% of travelers have taken a food-focused cruise or boat tour

Statistic 56

71% of travelers to Thailand explore street food markets

Statistic 57

76% of local cuisine enthusiasts claim that food tourism improves their understanding of local history and traditions

Statistic 58

83% of travelers enjoy participating in traditional food preparation methods

Statistic 59

68% of tourists plan their trips around participating in food festivals

Statistic 60

42% of travelers document their food experiences through photo or video sharing

Statistic 61

90% of culinary travelers say that food experiences are the most memorable part of their trip

Statistic 62

73% of hotel bookings include some form of food experience, such as in-room dining, local cuisine, or food tours

Statistic 63

67% of globetrotting food enthusiasts actively seek out culinary classes abroad

Statistic 64

85% of respondents to a global survey believe that food tourism can help preserve cultural identity

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Key Highlights

84% of travelers say that local cuisine influences their destination choice
76% of food tourists spend more than they planned on unique local dishes
65% of international travelers try new foods when visiting a new country
57% of tourism boards have developed specific food tourism campaigns
42% of travelers consider food as a major part of their travel experience
50% of food tourists seek authentic dining experiences
69% of travelers aged 18-35 are motivated by trying local cuisines
54% of tourists use social media to find local food spots
72% of culinary tourists participate in cooking classes or food workshops
The global food tourism market was valued at approximately USD 34 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% through 2027
80% of travelers to Italy visit local markets to experience authentic food
48% of travel companies offer food-themed travel packages
64% of tourists believe food contributes significantly to their overall travel satisfaction

Did you know that a staggering 84% of travelers say local cuisine influences their destination choice, making food tourism a powerful driver in global travel trends?

Development of Food Tourism Infrastructure and Branding

57% of tourism boards have developed specific food tourism campaigns

Development of Food Tourism Infrastructure and Branding Interpretation

With over half of tourism boards investing in dedicated food campaigns, it's clear that cuisine is no longer just a supplement but a main course in the global travel menu.

Food Preferences and Sourcing Preferences of Tourists

41% of tourists look for vegan or vegetarian food options when traveling
59% of tourists prefer locally sourced ingredients in their meals while traveling

Food Preferences and Sourcing Preferences of Tourists Interpretation

These statistics underscore a culinary shift: nearly half of travelers are craving plant-based options, while a majority prioritize locally sourced ingredients, signaling that sustainable and ethical eating habits are now key ingredients in the travel experience.

Perceptions and Importance of Food in Travel Decision Making

64% of tourists believe food contributes significantly to their overall travel satisfaction
54% of travelers pick their destinations based on the availability of unique food experiences
34% of travelers are motivated by health food options when choosing travel destinations
78% of respondents say that food is an essential part of their travel story

Perceptions and Importance of Food in Travel Decision Making Interpretation

These statistics reveal that while most travelers see food as a crucial ingredient in their adventure story, nearly half let culinary curiosity guide their destination choices, and a growing number prioritize health-conscious options—proving that in the travel palate, flavor and wellness are increasingly paramount.

Spending and Willingness to Pay for Food Experiences

76% of food tourists spend more than they planned on unique local dishes
The global food tourism market was valued at approximately USD 34 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% through 2027
55% of travelers would pay more for a destination with renowned local cuisine

Spending and Willingness to Pay for Food Experiences Interpretation

With over three-quarters of food tourists splurging on unique local flavors and a global market soaring towards $50 billion by 2027, it's clear that in the world of travel, taste really does trump budget—but only if it's worth the indulgence.

Travelers' Attitudes Towards Local Cuisine and Food Experiences

84% of travelers say that local cuisine influences their destination choice
65% of international travelers try new foods when visiting a new country
42% of travelers consider food as a major part of their travel experience
50% of food tourists seek authentic dining experiences
69% of travelers aged 18-35 are motivated by trying local cuisines
54% of tourists use social media to find local food spots
72% of culinary tourists participate in cooking classes or food workshops
80% of travelers to Italy visit local markets to experience authentic food
48% of travel companies offer food-themed travel packages
38% of travelers plan their itineraries around local food festivals
90% of tourists who participate in food tours recommend them to friends
55% of food tourists are motivated by wanting to support local economies
70% of visitors to Provence participate in wine and food tastings
62% of travelers are interested in farm-to-table experiences
47% of survey respondents said food tourism enhances their cultural understanding
73% of people aged 25-44 seek authentic local foods during their trips
53% of travelers consider local street food a must-try attraction
85% of travelers who engage in food tourism are satisfied with their experience
52% of destination marketing organizations incorporate food tours into their promotional strategies
89% of participants in food festivals state that these events have increased their appreciation for local culture
41% of travelers plan trips specifically to attend culinary festivals
67% of food tourists explore local markets for souvenirs and food products
78% of chefs and culinary experts believe food tourism can significantly boost their local gastronomy reputation
59% of travelers prefer guided food tours over independent exploration
70% of tourists associate their travel experiences with memorable food moments
49% of international travelers dine at local eateries recommended by locals
60% of travel agencies now offer food and wine tours as part of their product portfolio
75% of food tourists say that trying regional beers and spirits is a highlight of their trip
63% of travelers consider cooking local dishes at home after their trips as an extension of their travel experience
88% of respondents to a Global Food Tourism report said they would recommend food tourism experiences to friends and family
69% of millennials participate actively in food tourism, making them the largest demographic for culinary travel
80% of tourists in Japan enjoy sampling traditional sushi and street foods
45% of travelers say they have learned new cooking skills through food tourism activities
78% of respondents participate in food tastings at least once during their trips
59% of tourists use mobile apps to discover local food spots
65% of tourists believe that food festivals foster community and social connections
83% of travelers say that trying local desserts is a memorable part of their trip
60% of culinary tourists are interested in sustainable and eco-friendly food practices
72% of travelers visit vineyards and wineries as part of their food tourism experiences
46% of food tourists plan their trips around tasting local cheeses
87% of respondents said that local food markets provide an authentic cultural experience
55% of tourists participate in farm visits combined with food tasting activities
48% of travelers have increased their interest in food tourism due to social media influencers
64% of people surveyed believe that culinary travel helps preserve traditional recipes and cooking techniques
59% of travelers have taken a food-focused cruise or boat tour
71% of travelers to Thailand explore street food markets
76% of local cuisine enthusiasts claim that food tourism improves their understanding of local history and traditions
83% of travelers enjoy participating in traditional food preparation methods
68% of tourists plan their trips around participating in food festivals
42% of travelers document their food experiences through photo or video sharing
90% of culinary travelers say that food experiences are the most memorable part of their trip
73% of hotel bookings include some form of food experience, such as in-room dining, local cuisine, or food tours
67% of globetrotting food enthusiasts actively seek out culinary classes abroad
85% of respondents to a global survey believe that food tourism can help preserve cultural identity

Travelers' Attitudes Towards Local Cuisine and Food Experiences Interpretation

With nearly 90% of travelers citing food experiences as the highlight of their journey, it's clear that when it comes to travel, the way to the heart (and stomach) of any destination is through its authentic cuisine—proving that in the battle between sightseeing and savoring, flavorful food often wins the most memorable medal.