According to a new survey by Booking.com, food is becoming an increasingly important part of travel plans for the year ahead. The study, which gathered responses from 19,000 travelers across 26 countries, found that 41 percent of respondents plan to add new food and drink destinations to their itineraries in 2018, up from 29 percent in 2017.
More than half of travelers want to eat more local cuisine while on holiday: 64 percent said they aim to sample more regional dishes during their trips, and 22 percent said they might travel to a destination specifically for its food. Conversely, 25 percent said they would avoid destinations that lack a strong culinary scene.
Technology continues to influence food-focused travel decisions. Nearly three in ten travelers (29 percent) select destinations based on local restaurant reviews, and 31 percent plan to post more food-related content on social media while traveling.
Street food remains a major draw, appealing to more than half of those surveyed. The top destinations highlighted for street food experiences are Bangkok, Taipei, Hanoi, İstanbul and George Town.
For travelers seeking upscale dining, interest in Michelin-starred restaurants is notable: 23 percent of respondents said they are looking for fine-dining experiences, with Rome, Dubai, Paris, São Paulo and London cited as top destinations for high-end cuisine.