It’s always been a part of popular culture but was never really the coolest thing to do! Thanks to tv, movies, books and the general nationwide obsession with waistlines, cooking has suddenly soared in relevance in the average American life! Not to be left behind, the travel industry is cooking up some recipes of its own.
Culinary vacations are the hot new trend. Travelmole reports that 60% of US travelers expressed interest in culinary tours, wine festivals, food markets and the like while on vacation in a study co-sponsored by Gourmet magazine, TIA and the International Culinary tourism Association.
Why the rush to don an apron while on vacation? The Travelmole article points to the abundance of cooking reality shows, celebrity chefs & affluent, culturally savvy individuals who have seen the world and enjoy partaking of local cuisines and activities. Add to this the clear turnaround in stereotypes. All along, cooking was perceived as the prime pursuit of moms at home or stay-at-home dads. With majority of the population eating out anyway, the kitchen is losing its pride of place! The workaholic nature of modern America also precludes leisurely foody experiments at home!
Culinary vacations are a natural offshoot of travelers going above and beyond the mundane in their quest to discover new experiences!