Food and Beverage Tourism Heats Up in 2025: Travelers Hungry for Authentic Culinary Journeys
From street food trails to vineyard tours and regional tasting menus, food and beverage tourism is enjoying a mouthwatering boom in 2025. Travelers are planning entire vacations around culinary experiences, making food not just a part of the journey—but the main event.
Culinary Travel Becomes the Main Course
Globally, tourists are trading generic dining for authentic, locally sourced experiences. According to the World Food Travel Association, food-related travel now influences over 85% of trip planning decisions.
In India, the popularity of regional cuisines—like Malvani seafood in Maharashtra, Hyderabadi biryani in Telangana, and Sikkimese thalis in the Northeast—has exploded. Tourists are booking cooking classes, spice market walks, and even staying with local families to experience the real flavors of India.
Beverage Trails are Booming
Wine tourism is thriving in regions like Nashik, India’s "wine capital", and international hotspots like Tuscany, Bordeaux, and Stellenbosch.
Craft beer trails, like those in Bengaluru and Himachal Pradesh, are drawing younger travelers.
Tea tourism in Assam and Darjeeling is gaining global attention, with immersive estate experiences and heritage tastings.
Key Trends in 2025
Farm-to-Table Travel: Tourists want to eat what’s fresh and grown locally. Organic farms and eco-kitchens are now tour stops.
Fusion Experiences: Culinary fusions—such as Indo-Korean or French-South Indian tasting menus—are attracting urban foodies.
Street Food Safaris: Cities like Bangkok, Delhi, and Mexico City are offering guided street food tours as must-do cultural immersions.
Digital Discovery: Food bloggers, Instagram reels, and culinary YouTube vlogs are fueling the popularity of hidden gems and local eateries.
What the Experts Say
"Food is now the heartbeat of travel. Tourists no longer just eat to explore; they explore to eat," says Chef Reena Menon, a food tour curator based in Kochi.
Hospitality brands are also adapting—offering chef-led culinary tours, heritage recipe nights, and kitchen-garden experiences to meet traveler appetites.
