Food tourism industry guide

The benefits of offering a food tourism experience

• Increase tourism revenue

  In 2022, domestic visitors alone spent £489 million on eating and drinking in Scotland. Creating unique and bookable food tourism experiences can attract new visitors and increase this spend.  Don't miss out on this additional revenue for your business or the local economy.

• Support local producers

  Visitors look for authentic experiences that spotlight local produce. Working with local food producers, farmers and artisans not only supports economic growth in the area, it also creates a more sustainable and resilient food system.

• Promote Scottish culture

  Food is a central part of any culture. Food tourism can help to preserve and promote Scottish culinary traditions, heritage, and regional specialties. It can also educate visitors about Scottish dishes, from traditional to modern cuisine, as well as the provenance of ingredients and the importance of sustainable food practices.

• Enrich your local community

  Creating food tourism experiences can be a benefit for the local community too. They can help to build community pride by showcasing local food businesses and producers, help to revitalise rural communities and create new economic opportunities. They can also create new jobs in the food and beverage, hospitality, and tourism sectors as well as the supply chain. 

• Make Scotland stand out

  Scotland already has a strong reputation for its whisky and other food and drink products. Developing food tourism experiences can further enhance this reputation, create a positive image and attract more visitors interested in food and drink tourism.

• Extend the visitor season

  It’s important we market Scotland as a year-round destination. Having quality food experiences on offer at all times of the year can help to reduce demand during peak season. It will also help businesses to generate income during the quieter months.