2021 State of the Industry Report Available

10 February 2021
State of the Industry

The World Food Travel Association (WFTA), the world’s leading authority on food and beverage tourism, announced today that its “2021 State of the Industry (SOTI) – Food & Beverage Tourism” report has just been released and is available for free download.

The SOTI report is the WFTA’s annual temperature check on the food and beverage tourism industry. Every year, the Association interviews at least a dozen thought leaders from around the world representing various sectors in food and beverage tourism. The remarks and insights from these thought leaders set the industry’s tone moving forward for the coming year. Naturally the 2021 SOTI report includes significant commentary about the COVID pandemic and how business processes in our industry are changing because of it.

The thought leaders that were interviewed for the 2021 report include:

  • Royce Chwin – CEO, Tourism Vancouver (Canada)
  • Louise Palmer-Masterton – Chef & Owner, Stem & Glory Restaurant (London, UK)
  • Sonny Side – Celebrity YouTube Vlogger (Vietnam)
  • Lauren Shannon – COO, Arigato Japan Food Tours (Tokyo, Japan)
  • Jutamas Wisansing – Tourism Consultant (Bangkok, Thailand)
  • Roberta Garibaldi – Gastronomy Tourism Researcher & Thought Leader (Italy)
  • Aashi Vel – Co-Founder, Traveling Spoon (San Francisco, USA)
  • Philip Ruskin – Brand Marketer (Paris, France)
  • Steven Shomler – Brand Storyteller (Portland, Oregon, USA)
  • Patrick Torrent – Executive Director, Catalan Tourist Board (Barcelona, Spain)
  • Shonette Laffy – Social Media Maven (Bristol, England, UK)
  • Jason Holland – Travel Butler (USA)
  • Ewan Henderson – Whisky Ambassador (Scotland, UK)


Interested parties can learn more and download a free copy of the report by completing the form at the bottom of this page.

Promotion for culinary capitals an innovative destination certification and development program for unknown destinations
Taste of place podcast listen to our culinary travel and culture podcast with erik wolf
Food
A membership page with a picture of pancakes on a plate.
30 September 2025
In Loving Memory and with Deep Gratitude: Honoring Brian F. Lorge
29 September 2025
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 80: “Mexico Beyond the Myths” featuring Ximena Velasco In this episode of the Taste of Place Podcast, we chat with Ximena Velasco, founder of the ¡Qué Gusto! festival in France. Originally from Mexico, Ximena has dedicated the past decade to changing perceptions of Mexican food abroad, proving that it is far more than fajitas or chili con carne. She shares her journey from working with Atout France to creating her own cultural platform, the challenges of promoting Mexican gastronomy in a country so deeply proud of its own food traditions, and the victories that come from perseverance, creativity, and trust in her instincts. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel.
25 September 2025
Quarterly tales from the ambassadors of the World Food Travel Association
by Erik Wolf 21 September 2025
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 79: “Peace Through Food” featuring Paula Mohammed In this episode of the Taste of Place Podcast, we sit down with Paula Mohammed – podcaster, cultural explorer, and founder of In My Kitchen. Paula’s story begins with a unique multicultural upbringing as the daughter of a Pakistani father and Māori mother, raised in both Canada and New Zealand. She shares how a childhood memory of curried peas sparked a lifelong passion for connecting cultures through food. From organizing events and working in sports marketing, to launching In My Kitchen and facilitating culinary exchanges worldwide, Paula has built a life around creating peace through food — one dish and one story at a time. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel.
Smiling Black chef in black uniform with arms crossed. Outdoor setting.
29 August 2025
Chef Dela Acolatse from Ghana is the newest certified ambassador for the World Food Travel Association.
by Erik Wolf 29 August 2025
🎧 New Podcast Episode Alert! Episode 78: “From Abidjan to London” featuring Paule-Odile Beke In this episode, Ivorian-French chef Paule-Odile Béké shares her journey from sneaking street food in Abidjan to founding her Afro-fusion catering company in London and competing on MasterChef: The Professionals. She reflects on her culinary roots, the influence of family, her experiences in Paris and London, and her mission to elevate Ivorian cuisine on the global stage. Paule also discusses resilience in the kitchen, the importance of mentorship, and her exciting new ventures with Ivorian teas, spirits, and food products. 🎙️ Available now on Spotify, iTunes & your favorite podcast platforms (Search for "Taste of Place") 📺 Prefer video? Watch it now on our YouTube channel.
More posts