I have always believed that good food and eating involve an element of risk, making food an exciting adventure for me. The year 2024 has been promoting culinary tourism as a key focus, prompting Indian travelers to embrace Anthony Bourdain's philosophy of combining food and travel for an adventurous experience. From food-centric destinations to immersive culinary encounters, the trend of culinary tourism aims to tantalize the taste buds of travelers. Discover why food and travel should be on your itinerary for the upcoming festive season. 82% of Indian travelers enjoy exploring new and local cuisines during their trips. Priya Ganguly, a graphic designer, emphasized the importance of food in understanding a place, citing experiences like savoring a Tisrya stir-fry in the Konkan region or indulging in Thai-style fish at Thailand's Amphawa Floating Market. This food exploration goes beyond mere consumption, fostering community engagement and cultural understanding by delving into culinary traditions, local lifestyles, produce, and customs. Elina Mukherjee, an associate creative director, shared her memorable culinary experiences in Tuscany and Uzbekistan, highlighting the transformative power of simple yet delicious dishes. Similarly, 51.3% of travelers have specifically visited countries renowned for their cuisine, such as Divya Gupta, an entrepreneur who dedicated part of her travel budget to sampling a diverse range of culinary offerings, from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants. Whether driven by a desire for exploration, culinary authenticity, willingness to invest, or a pure passion for food satisfaction, these travelers exemplify the fusion of food and travel for a truly enriching experience.Indulging the food enthusiast within, culinary travel destinations appear to be popular among Indian travelers. A survey revealed that 24% of travelers are planning trips to countries like Italy and Japan, where they can explore concepts such as aperitivo and chanoyu and gain insights into the local food culture. Comments from individuals like Arshdeep Singh, a branding and design agency founder, highlight the appeal of destinations like Thailand, Italy, and London for their unique culinary offerings.
A significant number of travelers (47%) compile lists of restaurants to visit before embarking on their journeys, thanks to the widespread availability of food-related content on social media and digital platforms. For some travelers, simply dining at restaurants is not enough, as 55% expressed interest in taking culinary workshops to learn how to prepare local dishes. These workshops provide a hands-on culinary experience guided by experts, coupled with informative discussions on the historical and cultural significance of the cuisine.
The article also mentions the top international and domestic destinations preferred by travelers, along with upcoming holiday destinations such as South Korea, Italy, and various Middle Eastern countries. The growing trend of food-focused travel experiences underscores the importance of gastronomy in shaping travel decisions.According to a Times of India Supplement poll, cities such as Mumbai, Lucknow, Delhi, and Kolkata are gaining popularity among travelers for culinary tourism. The tourism industry in India has seen a 15% annual growth since 2019. Interestingly, 59% of Indian travelers have visited a destination solely to dine at a particular restaurant. Moreover, there is a growing interest among global travelers to discover the origins of a destination's signature dishes.
Key findings show that travelers are seeking traditional and ethnic dishes, local street food, and immersive culinary experiences. Specific food preferences include region-specific dishes like steaks in London or kebabs in Lucknow, diverse food options in countries like Japan, specialties such as wine in Italy, and renowned chef-driven restaurants like Enrique Olvera's Pujol and Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen.
