In the past month we’ve been keeping up on everything tourism and culinary tourism related, by jumping on every article, news and free report we can. Below we’re going to go through some of what we think is worth checking out from this month. These articles cover everything from trends and stats to industry opinions important to keep an eye whether you’re in the tourism industry already, or thinking about joining it.
The Rise of Food Tourism Report
Presented by Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance (OCTA) & Skift
We think everyone should take the time to download and read this free report. OCTA is an authority in our industry and the report covers many stats on the rise of culinary tourism in the last few years. Plus it takes a look at how the current industry is doing, with multiple case studies on how destination are using new strategies to boost culinary tourism and inspire travelers to experience culture through food.
The clear takeaway here is that cities big and small are celebrating their local food and culinary activities in new and exciting ways, and travelers want that. The result is a boost in tourism and business for communities all over the world. Businesses like food tours can truly help have an impact on communities and appeal to a new kind of traveler.
Key quotes:
“The report [2012 University of Florida report: “A Flash of Culinary Tourism.”] estimates that 39 million U.S. leisure travelers choose a destination based on the availability of culinary activities, while another 35 million seek out culinary activities after a destination is decided upon.”
“More recently, lesser-known food destinations are emerging and discovering that celebrating their local cuisine can help attract more visitor arrivals. Even more encouraging, these emerging destinations are finding out they don’t need Michelin starred chefs to be successful.”
The Faces of Tourism
By Audrey Scott and Daniel Noll for the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
Sometimes it’s easy to forget the giant impact the tourism industry has on individuals. This article is a wonderful and inspiring reminder of how jobs in tourism can help empower individuals and communities all over the world. The article tells the stories of four individuals whose lives were greatly changed by starting tourism businesses.
Key Quote:
“At the beginning we were just two, three people. We barely got by. Now, Tour Haiti employs over a dozen people and I can see how my employees’ kids are able to go to private schools and they have better homes. This is what motivates me.” – Jean Cyril Pressoir, Founder of Tour Haiti
2015 Trend: Travel brands Reimagine Themselves as Lifestyle Connoisseurs
We all know that in the food tour industry we offer an experience, not just a product or service. Well, many larger travel brands are jumping on board with this whole concept. Many are repositioning themselves as lifestyle connoisseurs instead of just service providers. Why? According to the article, “Clean sheets and safe flights are considered standard among customers, especially millennials, who seek deeper connections to brands’ values and the lifestyles that they represent.”
Travel isn’t just about standard service anymore it’s about making a connection and as travel brands become more aware of that their marketing will continue to reflect that.
“Go to experience culture and nature” — an interview with Everything Everywhere’s Gary Arndt
via the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
Another article coming from WTTC, a group really committed to exploring tourism as a force for good, which we are 100% on board with. In this interview with travel writer and photographer Gary Arndt, they talk about the positives and negatives of travel impact on the world and the importance of focusing traveling on engaging with communities.
Key Quotes:
“From an economic standpoint, travel and tourism is the single greatest way to transfer money from developed countries to lesser-developed countries. Unlike aid, it is encouraging business development and entrepreneurship…”
“The biggest danger is going somewhere and not engaging with the community. Spending money in ways that do not stay in a community, and not taking time to experience local culture.”
That’s our list for the month! Do some reading, then share your thoughts in the comments and we’ll get a discussion going. Remember too, we’re sharing more great stuff like this daily on twitter so be sure to follow us @foodtourpros.