Travel Public Relations Agency Spotlights Top 2025 Culinary Travel Trends

​Culinary tourism, also known as food tourism, allows food lovers to learn about a culture through its food. This year, culinary tourism is trending at the moment with hyper-local dining, cooking retreats, street food, wellness cuisine, and culinary cruises.

Did you know . . .

• “The culinary tourism market is significant and is a rapidly growing segment of the travel industry. One report estimates the market is projected to reach $6.2 trillion by 2033.” (Source: Grand View Research)
• “With the prevalence of social media, individuals share their dining adventure while on vacation, inspiring others to do the same. This trend has also sparked the rise of peer-to-peer dining apps, which capitalize on the desire for authentic culinary experiences and further fuel the popularity of culinary tourism.” (Source: Grand View Research)
• “Food plays a pivotal role in travel experiences, with travelers often organizing vacations around culinary activities such as dining at acclaimed restaurants or participating in cooking classes. Approximately 81 percent of respondents prioritize exploring local foods and cuisines as the highlight of their travels. In addition, 72 percent indicated their desire to visit international destinations specifically to indulge in diverse culinary offerings from other cultures.” (Source: American Express Travel Global Travel Trend Report)

Allen Marketing Communications, Inc., a boutique travel and lifestyle PR agency, helps destinations and hotels spotlight their culinary experiences to inspire foodies to uncover their unique culinary experiences. Here are the key culinary trends this year.

Immersive Cooking Retreats

Immersive cooking retreats are rending at the moment. Consumers are seeking multi-day immersive experiences such as making pasta in Bologna, kimchi in Seoul, or mezcal in Oaxaca. “Culinary vacations are immersive experiences where guests are transported into the kitchen for a number of days, learning the art of cooking using local produce.” (Source: Travel Agent).

Culinary retreats are usually staged in less touristy areas such as agriturismos, rural properties, or cooking schools. The culinary escapes also encompass trips to farmers’ markets, wine growers, and specialty food makers, establishing a 360-degree panorama of the food system of the region. Research reveals culinary “engagement fosters emotional connection, making meals special cultural experiences. (Source: The World’s Greatest Vacations).

The Street Food Renaissance

Foodies love street foods for their exotic tastes. “Food tours allow foodies to wander through beautiful markets, hawker centers, or some random little nook.” (Source: Spa Executive). In fact, street food vendors are being elevated to new heights, with some of them earning Michelin stars.

“Street food is regarded by Millennial and Gen Z travelers as one of the drivers of overall travel, as it is cheap and provides food adventure.” (Source: Vincent Vacations). Street food also shed light on the role of social storytelling—street food allows for some of the best material for Instagram and other social media platforms.

Wellness-Driven Culinary Travel

Wellness cuisine is an essential element of health and a path to regeneration. Tourists are interested in consuming healthy food—detox and conscious diets, local organic food, Ayurveda, and gluten-free options. “Culinary wellness is identified as the most popular niche in the wellness tourism market, which is worth over 800 billion dollars.” (Source: Spa Executive).

Several destinations are highlighting plant-based diet programs, teaching classes on how to cook dishes that will create immune-boosting foods, and medicinal herb garden tours. “Many luxury properties are hiring nutritionists alongside chefs to design balanced menus that satisfy both the palate and the body.” (Sources: Travel Agent).

Hyper-Local And Sustainable Dining

Sustainable dining focuses on locally sourced foods, sustainable sources, and seasonal eating. Restaurants are paying increased attention to a concept known as “hyper-local” sourcing, which refers to food that is grown, harvested, and/or cooked almost nearby.

In fact, “consumers want locally sourced food now that meals can tell a story of the place, whether it is tomatoes picked from the field in Tuscany or seaweed along the coast of Maine.” (Source: Vincent Vacations). The trend is not merely about being green; it is about telling stories for the environment out there.

“Many travelers are interested in farm-to-table dining, organic food production, and sustainable agriculture, which have become central to the culinary tourism experience. The demand for local, fresh, and ethically sourced ingredients is driving visitors to regions known for their agricultural practices and food traditions". (Source:  Grand View Research)

Culinary Cruises And Floating Feasts

Culinary tourism is a common sub-niche in travel that provides delicious traveling experiences at sea. Several destinations offer tourists tours to visit floating markets, street food stalls, and cooking performances of seafood in port towns.

“The major cruise lines are hiring celebrity chefs, incorporating culinary academies, and creating entire itineraries around specialty food and wine celebrations.” (Source: The World’s Greatest Vacations). Cruises involving food tasting can be very effective, where tourists can try out several dishes from cuisines of various regions without the need for changing flights and hotels frequently.

Our savvy travel and lifestyle public relations professionals and social media strategists can generate a buzz for your unique culinary experiences. We are here to help.