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Food for thought: tours show a growing appetite
More Americans than ever are taking food-focused vacations, according to the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA).
The TIA recently performed its first-ever study on wine and culinary travelers. The full report won’t be released until February, but TIA says that two in five leisure travelers have participated in activities associated with culinary tourism.
“Food-based travel, including culinary and wine tours, is currently one of the biggest trends in the travel industry. Travelers have become more food-savvy over the years and they’re looking to expand their experience of a destination through its wine and food offerings,” said Cathy Keefe, manager of media relations at TIA.
In response, hotels are polishing up their food and wine packages, cooking schools and high-profile chefs to lure travelers. New tours are also being introduced.
Remote Lands has just introduced what the company says is the first-ever private jet culinary tour. The trip will include two weeks in Thailand, Burma, Bhutan, India and China, traveling by plane and escorted by food critics
The group will dine with members of the Thai royal family, experience private cooking demonstrations and visit local markets where everything from fried grasshoppers to barbecued goat head is for sale.
The cost: $49,950 per person.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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