2024 State of the Industry Report Available
4 March 2024
Recently we released our “2024 State of the Industry (SOTI) – Food & Beverage Tourism” report. It is available as a free download.
The SOTI report is our Association's annual bellwether assessment and analysis of the food and beverage tourism industry (also known as culinary tourism or gastronomy tourism). Every year, our Association interviews leading industry experts and provides expert analysis in the form of this thought leadership report. This year, twelve trends are discussed and broadly cover developments in authenticity; localism; sustainability; diversity; AI; consumer behavior; influencers; health and wellness; social media; and customer loyalty.
The report is used by businesses, organizations and tourism offices to inform their strategy, marketing and related planning decisions over the coming 12 months. The report is oriented toward professionals in the food, beverage, tourism and hospitality industries. Academics and researchers may also find the content of value.
Interested parties can learn more or download a free copy of the report in English, French, Spanish, Italian or Portuguese from this link. Special note if you are looking for the report in a language other than English:
scroll past the English language form and you will see other forms available in French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese so that you can download the report in your language of choice.
In Loving Memory and with Deep Gratitude: Honoring Brian F. Lorge
🎧 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.
Quarterly tales from the ambassadors of the World Food Travel Association
🎧 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.
Chef Dela Acolatse from Ghana is the newest certified ambassador for the World Food Travel Association.
🎧 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.
