Appetites growing for tourists seeking food and drink
“Culinary Tourism” is a new travel trend attracting people who want to explore food and drink as well as destination options.
“Culinary tourism is an emerging concept and builds on the idea that visitors can experience other cultures through food and beverage,” said the National Restaurant Association.
Culinary tourists often seek out local and regional specialties during their travels and even choose their destinations because of well-known restaurants.
The US’s 900,000 restaurants are starting to build on the trend by promoting concepts and menus specifically for travelers and tourists.
The restaurant association says dining out is one of the most popular tourist activities when first reaching a destination.
Travelers and visitors account for about one third of sales at fine dining restaurants and 20% at family and casual restaurants, according to the association.
Even fast food has a presence in the market, with 15% of sales to tourists.
Restaurants traditionally are at their busiest this month.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments