Culinary tourism: feast on these 6 tasty takeaways for DMOs

Culinary tourism is a tantalizing temptation for travelers worldwide, offering a unique way to experience a destination’s culture, history, and local flavors. From street tacos and hot dogs to fine dining with wine pairings — food plays an essential role in defining the character of a destination.

Whether it's taste testing regional specialties, attending foodie festivals, or visiting farmers markets to indulge in agritourism, culinary experiences provide a deeper connection to people and places.

Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) are increasingly tapping into this trend, creating vibrant, food-centric personalities for their cities. Powered by Simpleview products and services, the following DMOs are saying, “Eat your heart out,” to visitors and locals alike — and it's paying off for their partners.

Read to the end for six tasty takeaways to get your DMO started on its own culinary tourism journey.

Visit Tucson

Tucson, Arizona, is an official UNESCO City of Gastronomy — a distinction granted from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The culinary scene in Tucson tells the tale of 4,000 years of Mexican and Native American traditions.

“Eating local means honoring history, and each bite is an experience” — a quote proudly displayed on the Visit Tucson website, where the DMO makes the most of its distinction with a culinary tourism-focused landing page that drives visitors to local partners’ doorsteps. The DMO provides an in-depth guide to the city’s unique food offerings, which range from traditional Sonoran hot dogs to farm-to-table experiences. Craving visitors can access curated itineraries, chef-led experiences, cooking classes, Restaurant Week events and bar crawls, and interactive maps that guide travelers to the unique spots that make Tucson a must-visit destination for food lovers.

Discover Lehigh Valley

In Pennsylvania, Discover Lehigh Valley has combined food with fun. The DMO’s Simpleview-powered website showcases an impressive drop-down menu featuring breweries, distilleries, wineries, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and more — as well as a “Farms & Agriculture” option with a map of all 15 of the farmers markets throughout the region. Hungry travelers can even browse by cuisine types to map out their perfect meal.

Discover Lehigh Valley also hosts an annual Restaurant Week that showcases its local partners, plates, people, and places. To take it one step further for foodie fanatics, the DMO promotes a buffet of Restaurant Week events from neighboring cities, encouraging visitors to keep the great eats going outside of its own destination.
 

San Francisco Travel

Whether strolling through the Ferry Building Marketplace, visiting Chinatown for dim sum, or dining in one of the Michelin-starred restaurants — the diverse food scene in San Francisco, California, is a major part of its allure. Eager eaters can plan their orders using the, “Eat Your Way Through San Francisco's Ferry Building,” and “The Guide to San Francisco’s Michelin-Starred Restaurants,” guides. San Francisco Travel's annual events, like the San Francisco Street Food Festival or the Napa Valley Wine Train, provide additional food-centric experiences to explore.
 

Speaking of events, Simpleview Summit attendees will have plenty of opportunities to indulge in hip and historic culinary tourism before, during, and after our industry-leading conference. On Tuesday night, attendees are encouraged to explore the city’s iconic neighborhoods — such as the Mission District for its vibrant Mexican food culture or North Beach for Italian cuisine. With a mix of historic dining institutions and trendy new spots, our host city of San Francisco promises a culinary experience that’s as diverse as its history. Here’s a guide packed with local recommendations to help plan your stay before you make your way to the City by the Bay.

Six Tasty Takeaways

Incorporating culinary tourism into your destination marketing strategy can unlock an exciting new way to engage travelers and spotlight your region's unique flavors. Here are six tasty takeaways to get your DMO started.

1. Create a "Food Trail" itinerary, showcasing local street food vendors, hidden gem cafés, and family-owned restaurants that serve up distinct, memorable dishes.
2. Highlight the stories of small-scale artisans — like cheesemakers, brewers, and bakers — who are reimagining your area's food scene.
3. Emphasize seasonal dishes and food festivals that make your destination come alive at different times of the year.
4. Personal stories from chefs, farmers, and food entrepreneurs can add a cultural depth that resonates with visitors.
5. Feature authentic user-generated content (UGC) to connect with potential travelers on a personal, picture-perfect level.
6. Collaborate with local businesses to create exclusive culinary experiences can make your region even more unforgettable.