Saudi Arabia Culinary Tourism Market Overview, 2029

The Saudi culinary tourism business is expanding dramatically, owing to the ambitious Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the economy and promote cultural heritage. The country provides a diverse range of unique gastronomic experiences, from traditional cuisine to fine dining and street food, as well as regional delicacies such as Hijazi cuisine and Najdi foods. Cooking lessons, farm visits, desert eating, and heritage food festivals meet the increasing need for immersive experiences. Cultural relevance is important in greeting guests, and there is a clear movement toward sustainability, local sourcing, and organic products. Furthermore, there is a growing demand for personalized experiences and fusion cuisine with international influences, as indicated by events such as Taste of Riyadh and the Jeddah Food Festival, which highlight the region's culinary diversity. While mass tourism packages with generic dining options are competitive, specialist experiences like culinary courses, private chef services, and local market visits provide distinct selling points. Emphasizing the cultural, educational, and experiential aspects of culinary tourism might appeal to discriminating travelers seeking authentic experiences.

According to the research report "Saudi Arabia Culinary Tourism Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the Saudi Arabia culinary tourism market was valued more than USD 15 Billion in 2023. The Saudi Arabian culinary tourism market is poised for significant growth, with key players and new entrants focusing on authenticity, sustainability, and digitalization to cater to diverse segments and ensure a vibrant future. Despite obstacles such as infrastructure constraints and visa restrictions, government initiatives and investments continue to fuel industry growth. The growing influx of tourists, combined with increased disposable expenditures among a young population, creates enormous prospects for the business. Strict food safety requirements assure quality and cleanliness standards, while cultural and religious factors demand respect and adaptation. The initial interruptions caused by the epidemic encouraged a shift toward domestic tourism and a greater reliance on internet booking services. As the recovery progresses, improved cleanliness and safety practices are being addressed. Furthermore, the pandemic has hastened the trend towards digitalization in marketing and online booking processes.

Travellers looking for immersive culinary experiences can choose from a variety of activities that are tailored to their preferences and interests. Culinary trials are customised adventures into the unique delicacies of a region or culture, allowing participants to taste local flavours and traditional recipes. Cooking classes offer structured instructional sessions in which individuals or groups can learn and practise culinary skills with the help of instructors or chefs. Restaurants, as commercial facilities, provide clients with the option of eating on-site or ordering takeout and delivery. Food festivals promote varied culinary choices by bringing together aficionados, chefs, and local vendors in outdoor venues, marketplaces, parks, or designated areas. Other interesting possibilities include food tours, cooking competitions, and pop-up eateries. Travellers have several options for booking these excursions. Online Travel Agents (OTAs) offer a web-based platform for easy booking of travel-related services and lodgings. Traditional agents, who work in actual offices, provide in-person or phone assistance with flight and hotel reservations, among other things. Direct booking enables customers to make reservations or purchases directly with businesses, avoiding third-party intermediaries. Culinary tours can be classified as domestic or international. Whether discovering local flavours in one's own nation or travelling overseas to sample global cuisines, the numerous alternatives cater to a wide range of preferences and travel goals.

Experts advise for developing local supply chains to reduce reliance on imported goods while promoting sustainable practices. They also stress diversified experiences to cater to specialized markets like wellness retreats and Agri-tourism. Leveraging digitization for online booking and telling unique culinary stories is also emphasized as an important tactic for engaging current consumers. Local production currently meets basic needs, although other items, such as spices and shellfish, are significantly reliant on imports. To increase self-sufficiency, government measures promote agricultural growth and vertical farming. This push for self-reliance creates opportunities for regional collaboration and increased local sourcing to satisfy expected future demand, resulting in a more sustainable and resilient supply chain. In contrast to known destinations such as Dubai and Turkey, Saudi Arabia provides a unique cultural experience with enormous untapped potential. However, obstacles such as visa complications and underdeveloped tourism infrastructure must be addressed. Opportunities exist for attracting a wider spectrum of visitors by highlighting cultural authenticity, different regional cuisines, and affordability. While major cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah provide various gastronomic experiences, the prices are frequently higher. Regional cuisines, such as Hijazi and Najdi, offer distinct Flavors at potentially lower rates. Analysing regional wealth distribution, travel patterns, and cultural variations is critical for developing customized marketing tactics that effectively engage varied audience segments.

Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029



Aspects covered in this report
• Culinary Tourism market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Activity Type
• Culinary Trials
• Cooking Classes
• Restaurants
• Food Festival
• Others

By Mode of Booking
• Online travel agents (OTA)
• Traditional agents
• Direct booking

By Tour
• Domestic
• International

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Culinary Tourism industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.