Food & Beverage Tourism Heats Up in 2025: Travelers Crave Authentic Culinary Adventures
From street-side delicacies to fine-dining feasts, food and beverage tourism—also known as culinary tourism—is experiencing a flavorful boom in 2025. As travelers seek immersive, authentic experiences, regional cuisine and local drinks are becoming the main reason to explore new destinations.
According to a recent report by the World Food Travel Association (WFTA), 65% of global travelers in 2025 plan their trips around culinary experiences, with India, Japan, Italy, Thailand, and Mexico topping the list of most sought-after foodie destinations.
What is Food and Beverage Tourism?
It refers to travel focused on experiencing a place through its food and drink culture. This includes:
Local food tastings and street food tours
Winery and brewery visits
Cooking classes and culinary workshops
Farm-to-table experiences and food festivals
“Food has become a passport to understanding culture,” says Chef Ananya Kapoor, founder of a culinary travel startup. “Travelers want to connect with local communities through flavors, traditions, and techniques.”
Hot Culinary Destinations of 2025
India:
Lucknow: Awadhi cuisine trails and kebab tours
Amritsar: Street food walks, langar experiences at Golden Temple
Goa: Indo-Portuguese seafood, feni tasting, spice plantation visits
Kolkata: Sweet tooth adventures with mishti doi, roshogolla, and more
Global:
Italy (Emilia-Romagna): Balsamic vinegar tours, fresh pasta-making
Thailand (Chiang Mai): Street food safaris, Thai curry classes
Japan (Osaka & Kyoto): Ramen tastings, sake brewing experiences
France (Lyon): Gourmet walking tours, vineyard excursions
Beverage Trails: More than Just a Drink
2025 sees a spike in microbrewery tourism, wine-tasting trails, and local spirit distillery visits. In India, regions like Nashik and Sula in Maharashtra, and vineyards in Karnataka’s Nandi Hills are drawing both domestic and international connoisseurs.
Global trends also include:
Coffee tourism in Colombia, Ethiopia, and Coorg (India)
Whiskey tours in Scotland and Ireland
Tea garden visits in Darjeeling, Assam, and Sri Lanka
Culinary Festivals Fueling Travel
Food festivals are now major tourist attractions. Popular events in 2025 include:
Goa Food and Cultural Festival
Naples Pizza Festival (Italy)
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (Australia)
Tokyo Ramen Show
These festivals offer foodies a chance to meet chefs, participate in tastings, and dive into new culinary traditions.
Emerging Trends in Food Tourism
Plant-based & Vegan Tours: Catering to eco-conscious eaters
Hyperlocal Flavors: Focus on indigenous ingredients and recipes
Culinary Storytelling: Tours that explain food origins, history, and symbolism
Food and Wellness Fusion: Ayurveda-based cuisine tours and mindful eating retreats
The Impact
Food and beverage tourism supports:
Local farmers, artisans, and chefs
Sustainable tourism by reducing over-reliance on typical sightseeing
Cultural preservation through food traditions
Community empowerment via culinary entrepreneurship
Final Bite
As the saying goes, “To truly know a place, taste it.” In 2025, food and beverage tourism is not just about eating—it’s about connecting. It’s about savoring the stories behind every dish, supporting the people who create them, and remembering each destination by the flavors it leaves behind.
