Americans Ready to Spend Nearly $2,000 on Culinary Travels: New Study Insights
A significant percentage of Americans have embarked on trips purely for culinary experiences, with millennials and Gen Z leading the trend.
Key Findings from the Study
A survey of 2,000 Americans revealed that 21% of travelers have taken trips specifically for food experiences, particularly among younger generations. Gen Z (44%) and millennials (31%) are the most likely to engage in such food-centric travel, compared to only 21% of Gen X and just 11% of baby boomers.
The research was commissioned by Visit Anaheim and conducted by Talker Research. It indicated that the average traveler ventured 484 miles and spent approximately $910 during their latest food-focused journey. Notably, respondents expressed a willingness to invest as much as $1,929 if it guaranteed they could taste a highly anticipated dish, be it sushi in Tokyo or curry in Mumbai.
Respondents believe that one visit is insufficient to fully enjoy the culinary delights of a city, suggesting an average of five trips to truly experience the local food scene.
Additionally, the study found that 67% of travelers consider themselves more adventurous eaters while on the road. Younger generations are leading this trend; 76% of Gen Z and 78% of millennials revealed this adventurous spirit, in contrast to 67% of Gen X and 59% of baby boomers.
Regardless of their eating habits, a majority of respondents (75%) plan their meals before trips, dedicating about two-and-a-half hours to research.*
Scott Oklin, Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Anaheim, stated:
“Just as you’d research and plan the attractions you want to see while on vacation, it can be just as fun to map out your meals.”
*Translation: “Como harías un estudio y planearas las atracciones que quieres ver durante las vacaciones, también puede ser divertido organizar tus comidas.”
When asked about their preferred dining spots while traveling, 41% of respondents indicated they favor “hole-in-the-wall” restaurants, while only 14% opt for well-known dining establishments. The top culinary destinations Americans are keen to experience include:
- Philadelphia, PA for Philly cheesesteak - 27%
- New York City, NY for New York-style pizza - 27%
- Kansas City, MO for Kansas City BBQ - 26%
- Chicago, IL for deep-dish pizza - 25%
- Central Texas for Texas BBQ - 24%.
The research also identified New York as the state with the best food (14%), closely followed by California (12%) and Texas (10%).
Oklin added that:
“Planning a trip with local cuisine in mind is one of the best ways to experience a destination.”
*Translation: “Planear un viaje con la cocina local en mente es una de las mejores maneras de vivir un destino.”
