Travel platforms, products and services are centered around culinary industries
Implications - Though food is a large motivating factor for why people travel, the concept of travel-related platforms and services, both small and large scale, that are centered around food are just beginning to pop up. These services and spaces cater to consumers seeking forms of travel that are able to curate experiences that cater to their precise expectations.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better center the consumer experience around their precise preferences and expectations?
Trend Themes
1. Experiential Food Events - Food brands can create unique experiences around food rather than traditional sit-down dinners, including immersive cocktail-making workshops and in-house cooking classes.
2. Allergy-friendly Travel Platforms - A growing demand for free-from foods has emerged and niche travel platforms such as Allergy Travels can simplify traveling by offering information on allergy-conscious restaurants and airlines, education on allergen labeling, and more.
3. Locational Foodie Travel Apps - Curated selections of the best foods in a region along with real-time information regarding what's open and personalized wishlists are features on apps like Uptaste, for travelers who would like to find the best food in a new location.
Industry Implications
1. Food Tourism - Food-based travel is a rising trend in the tourism industry, and companies catering to this demographic can benefit by creating unique culinary experiences and services to meet consumers' precise expectations.
2. Hospitality - Offering allergy-conscious food options in hotels and restaurants, for instance, can significantly add value to the hospitality industry as it responds to its guests' needs.
3. Mobile Food Services - Mobile food services can take inspiration from the Aqua Pod and explore the use of floating water-based food stands to offer unique dining experiences that would appeal to foodies.
