World Food Travel Association
Annual Report on the State of Food Travel 2024
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World Food Travel Association
Annual Report on the State of Food Travel 2024
The World Food Travel Association, recognized as the leading authority on food tourism globally, has released its long-awaited report on the state of food tourism in 2024.
This document provides a comprehensive analysis of emerging trends, challenges and opportunities in the sector.
Year of recovery and persistent challenges
2023 has been a remarkable year for tourism overall, with a significant increase in the number of visitor arrivals, approaching pre-pandemic levels in several markets. However, despite this recovery, the sector faces significant challenges. Experts stress that many of these challenges are not unique to food tourism, but reflect broader issues affecting global societies and communities.
Twelve key trends in 2024
The report identifies twelve major trends that will shape food tourism in the coming year. These trends have been selected from interviews with industry experts and reflect a wide range of factors that will influence travelers' dining experiences:
Commoditization of authenticity: The overuse of terms such as "local" and "authentic" has diminished their impact on travelers, creating a need to reevaluate how dining experiences are marketed.
Increased waste: The growth of food tourism has generated an increase in food and packaging waste, as well as traffic and pollution, posing a significant environmental challenge.
Economic impact and sustainability
The economic impact of gastronomic tourism varies significantly by region, making it difficult to accurately estimate its overall value. Despite the challenges, the benefits of food tourism, when properly managed, can far outweigh the costs. The report highlights how food tourism contributes to the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals by promoting sustainability and inclusive development.
Culinary Placemaking and featured events.
The World Food Travel Association has also highlighted its unique Culinary Placemaking process, which has benefited a number of clients globally. This strategic approach helps destinations maximize their gastronomic appeal by creating unique and authentic culinary experiences.
In 2024, several key events will mark the food tourism calendar, including:
FoodTreX Poland: April 17
World Food Travel Day: April 18
FoodTreX Global Online Summit: 29-30 April
Gastroshow Turkey: May 30-31
Global Culinary Travel Awards: Applications open July 1
World Travel Market (WTM): November 5-7.
The report concludes that, despite the challenges, gastronomy tourism has a promising future. It highlights the importance of innovation and sustainability to maintain growth and enhance the traveler experience. In addition, the Association offers various resources to support industry professionals, including scholarships and networking opportunities through events and online platforms.
For further information: World Food Travel Association
The authors are responsible for the choice and presentation of the facts contained in this document and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of Tourism and Society Think Tank and do not commit the Organization, and should not be attributed to TSTT or its members.
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