Culinary Travel Hotspots Drive Restaurant Business

About 27 million travelers enjoyed culinary or wine-related activities while traveling over the past three years, according to a survey by the Travel Industry Association. For culinary professionals across the country, the tourism industry and the culinary travel niche provide a real revenue opportunity.
While the leisure and hospitality industry has always catered to hungry tourists, the idea of culinary tourism is enjoying a particular surge. Culinary travelers are typically younger, more affluent, and better educated than non-culinary travelers, and chefs are eager to cater to this growing market.

Culinary Destinations Draw Tourists

"Culinary tourism has reached the tipping point as a niche and an industry," says Erik Wolf, President and CEO of the International Culinary Tourism Association. "Unique food and drink are the perfect attractions, especially for second and tertiary destinations that now must market more proactively in the globally competitive market."
The top states for culinary travel include:

1. California (14%)
2. Florida (10%)
3. New York (7%)
4. Texas (6%)

Aspiring chefs should consider taking cooking classes that address the growing culinary tourism industry. Courses in catering, hotel cooking, and special event cooking could be a benefit to chefs in tourist areas.

The Culinary Travel Industry: Career Outlook

Travelers who cite culinary reasons as their main motivation for vacation tend to spend significantly on food, the survey found. Culinary tourists spent $1,271 total per trip on average, with about $593--or roughly 50%--spent solely on food.
From famous restaurants like El Bulli or The French Laundry to celebrity chef-operated eateries in Las Vegas and New York, restaurants are swiftly becoming a destination for tourists with the income to spend on beautifully prepared food. Subsequently, trained executive chefs who adapt to the changing needs of the culinary market may be looking at bright career prospects.
Source:
Travel Industry Association, "Comprehensive Culinary Travel Survey Provides Insights on Food and Wine Travelers"

Amelia Gray is a teacher and freelance writer in San Marcos, TX. Amelia earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University.