RESEARCH
Research advances Taste of Place through evidence.
WHY GASTRONOMY TOURISM RESEARCH MATTERS
Our studies, reports, and benchmarking tools help destinations understand travelers, measure progress, and make better-informed decisions.
Gastronomy tourism has become an increasingly important driver of destination development, yet many decisions continue to be based on assumptions, anecdotal evidence, or trends observed elsewhere. Effective research provides destinations with a clearer understanding of visitor behavior, local food systems, resident perspectives, and the factors that contribute to long-term success.
Evidence helps destinations move beyond guesswork. It identifies opportunities, measures progress, and provides a stronger foundation for investment, policy, and strategic planning. Whether developing a new initiative or evaluating an existing one, informed decisions are more likely to create meaningful benefits for visitors, businesses, and local communities.
The World Food Travel Association conducts research with a practical purpose. Our goal is not simply to generate knowledge, but to provide destinations and industry professionals with reliable insights they can use to strengthen culinary heritage, improve visitor experiences, and build more resilient tourism economies.
OUR GASTRONOMY TOURISM RESEARCH
GASTRONOMY TOURISM MATURITY INDEX (2026)
A global benchmarking framework that evaluates the maturity of gastronomy tourism destinations. The GTMI helps governments and destination organizations assess their strengths, identify opportunities for improvement, and measure progress toward more sustainable destination development.
TASTE OF PLACE ANNUAL REPORT (2026)
An annual assessment of the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping gastronomy tourism worldwide. The report helps destinations, tourism businesses, and policymakers understand emerging developments and make more informed strategic decisions in a rapidly evolving industry.
FOOD TRAVEL MONITOR (2026)
One of the world's longest-running studies of food and beverage travelers, the Food Travel Monitor examines traveler motivations, preferences, behaviors, and spending patterns. It provides destinations and tourism businesses with reliable consumer insights to guide strategy, marketing, and product development.
COMMISSIONED RESEARCH
We conduct custom research, market analysis, benchmarking studies, and destination assessments for governments, destination organizations, universities, and industry partners. Every project is designed to answer practical questions and provide evidence that supports informed decision-making.
FREQUENTLY ASKED GASTRONOMY TOURISM RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What types of research does the World Food Travel Association publish?
The World Food Travel Association publishes industry reports, trend studies, case studies, and consumer insights focused exclusively on gastronomy tourism worldwide.
Who uses the Association’s research and reports?
Tourism boards, government agencies, hospitality businesses, consultants, and researchers use the Association’s reports to inform strategy, policy, product development, and investment decisions in gastronomy tourism.
How often is new research published?
Some of our reports are published annually, while others are published on a less frequent but still regular basis. Consult the reports above for exact publishing frequency.
How is WFTA's research different from traditional tourism research?
WFTA's research focuses specifically on gastronomy tourism and the role that food and beverage play in shaping destination identity, visitor experiences, and sustainable development. Rather than examining tourism in general, our work explores the connections between culinary heritage, local food systems, culture, communities, and the visitor economy. Every study is designed to provide practical, evidence-based insights that destinations and industry professionals can apply to real-world decision-making.
Can WFTA conduct custom research for my destination or organization?
Yes. The World Food Travel Association offers tailored research services to destinations and organizations seeking specific culinary tourism insights, including surveys, benchmarking, and strategic data analysis. See our Commissioned Research page for more details.
Can I cite WFTA research in my own publications?
Yes of course, as long as you use the appropriate citation process for each report.
