What Is Snack Tourism, A New Travel Trend That Goes Beyond Sights & Souvenirs?

From tasting Japan’s unique KitKat flavours to indulging in Australia’s Tim Tams or the USA’s Coca-Cola Vanilla Soda, travellers are now seeking experiences that go beyond sightseeing. This trend allows tourists to dive into local culture, discover regional specialities, and enjoy destinations through the lens of their culinary delights.

What Is Snack Tourism?

According to Skysnacker, just as the name suggests, snack tourism is an emerging travel trend where travellers plan their trips around discovering and tasting local and regional snacks. Not just to try there, but people are now packing their bags with crowd-favourite treats to bring back home as souvenirs.

Think French Petit Écolier biscuits, Japan’s uniquely flavoured KitKats, and even Thailand’s Mogu Mogu drinks–people are now travelling to new destinations to explore the place in a more flavourful way! The trend reflects simple flavours of local chips and chocolate, says a lot about the place, just like historic landmarks or traditions.

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Millennials Lead The Trend

According to Skyscanner’s data, almost half the UK travellers (almost 47%) feel local food and snack options are a top priority for them, establishing that snack tourism is the new way of travelling! With this, travellers are seeking authentic, flavourful experiences that let them connect with local culture through food.

Not so surprisingly, the snack tourism trend is being spearheaded by millennials. As per Skyscanner’s data, nearly 6 in 10 (59%) say they choose travel destinations based on popular local snacks or delicacies, and 70% even set aside a budget just to buy unique international treats. Following them, 38% of Gen Z have also shared that they would prefer to dine on French food than visit the Eiffel Tower to experience local culture.

If you’re also planning a trip soon and wish to experience the local culture and flavours, then follow these tips to hunt snacks like a pro –

1. Research well before travelling. You can turn to social media for this.
2. Shop at supermarkets and convenience stores to avoid shelling out unnecessary cash.
3. It’s best to check the rules, as according to Skyscanner, you can’t travel with some foods. So make sure you check custom rules.

Also Read: Delhi Lowest, Kerala Highest; Foreign Woman Traveller Rates Indian Destinations Out Of 10 Based On Safety

Let us know in the comments which place you would like to visit for snacks!

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/RossHelen & Wikimedia Commons (representative image)