Future Foodists: Travelling the World Through Sustainable Flavours and Culinary Traditions

Old Town and Beyond: A Tbilisi Silk Road Feast with Culinary Backstreets

A New Way to Travel Through Food

A powerful new travel movement is reshaping how we explore the world—Future Foodists. Today’s travellers are no longer satisfied with simply dining at top restaurants. Instead, they are seeking deeper, more meaningful culinary journeys that connect them to the origins of food, the communities behind it, and the sustainability efforts that protect it.

This trend is about understanding the full ecosystem of food. From farm to table, ocean to plate, and tradition to innovation, Future Foodists are embracing travel experiences that highlight local ingredients, cultural heritage and environmental responsibility.

Exploring the World’s Culinary Ecosystems

Across South America, travellers are immersing themselves in the rich agricultural traditions of the Andes. In countries like Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, food-focused journeys are centred around indigenous ingredients such as cacao and corn.

Visitors are attending regional festivals, visiting farms and learning directly from local producers who have preserved these traditions for generations. These experiences offer a deeper appreciation of how geography, climate and culture shape what ends up on the plate.

Following Food Trails and Coastal Traditions

Mango and Tropical Fruit Tour in West Maui

In Portugal, travellers are discovering the connection between land, sea and cuisine along the Vicentina Fishermen's Trail. This scenic route along the Atlantic coastline provides insight into traditional fishing methods, local ingredients and the communities that rely on them.

Walking the trail is more than just a hiking experience. It is a journey through Portugal’s culinary heritage, where fresh seafood, regional produce and time-honoured techniques come together to tell a story of sustainability and resilience.

Sustainable Dining and Innovative Ingredients

Future Foodists are also exploring how restaurants are redefining sustainability. In destinations such as Scandinavia and Netherlands, chefs are crafting menus that focus on eco-friendly ingredients like seaweed, foraged plants and heritage grains.

These dining experiences highlight how innovation can coexist with tradition. Restaurants are not only reducing environmental impact but also reimagining flavours, offering dishes that are both responsible and exciting.

A growing number of travellers are also embracing alternatives to traditional staples. For example, Atomo is gaining attention for its bean-free coffee made from upcycled ingredients such as date pits and chicory root. These innovations reflect a broader shift towards sustainable consumption without compromising on taste.

Markets, Street Food and Cultural Connection

Gastronomic Hike on the Path of the Gods

Beyond fine dining, Future Foodists are diving into local food culture through markets and street food experiences. Bookings for street food tours and gourmet experiences have surged, reflecting a growing appetite for authentic, on-the-ground culinary exploration.

Iconic markets are seeing unprecedented interest. In Singapore, hawker centres are thriving as cultural and culinary hubs. Gwangjang Market in Seoul and Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo are also experiencing significant increases in visitor numbers.

These bustling environments allow travellers to taste local specialities, interact with vendors and gain a deeper understanding of regional food traditions.

Why Future Foodists Are Redefining Travel

The rise of Future Foodists reflects a broader shift in travel priorities. Modern travellers are increasingly conscious of sustainability, authenticity and cultural preservation. They want their journeys to have meaning and impact, supporting local communities and protecting culinary heritage.

By focusing on where food comes from and how it is produced, this trend encourages more responsible travel choices. It also creates richer, more immersive experiences that go far beyond the plate.

Plan Your Culinary Journey

Future Foodists are leading the way in experiential travel, transforming meals into meaningful moments of discovery. Whether exploring remote farms, walking coastal food trails or dining at innovative restaurants, this trend offers a deeper connection to the world through its flavours.

For more information and to book food-focused travel experiences, visit Tripadvisor
Website: https://www.tripadvisor.com

For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine" https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/

Explora Expeditions in the Andean Altiplano

The route connecting the desert community of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile to the stunning Uyuni salt flat in southwest Bolivia has been travelled since nomadic times. 

Previously used by native Andeans seeking food and raw materials, Explora now offers travellers the chance to experience the immersive Travesía Atacama-Uyuni. 

These are nomadic journeys, led by an expert Explora guide and a local driver, with travel in a 4×4 vehicle from destination to destination and stays in minimalist mountain lodges en route. 

The trips cross the driest part of the Atacama, the driest desert in the world, and the highland plateau of the Andes. 

There are coloured lagoons with large populations of pink flamingos, geysers spewing hot water and steam and the Uyuni salt flats stretching 10,000 square kilometers with 32 islands between them.

The Travesía can be accomplished from either end of the route, with Explora mountain lodges in Ramaditas, Chituca, and Jirira in Bolivia offering travellers the chance to rest and dine before the next day’s adventures. 

Having mountain lodges in extreme areas entailed building trust with local communities to work together on experiences that make travellers feel welcome instead of intrusive. 

Explora’s arrival in the region has inspired many community members to return, as they can now find work in their hometown. 

Explora was founded in 1993 and currently owns and operates six lodges in South America: 

• Explora Atacama in the Atacama Desert in Chile 
• Explora Torres del Paine, Explora Rapa Nui Island and Explora Valle Sagrado in Peru 
• Explora Patagonia National Park in Chile Aysén Region, and 
• Explora El Chaltén in Argentina’s Santa Cruz Province. 

In addition to the lodges, Explora operates the Puritama Conservation Reserve in San Pedro de Atacama and works on two conservation projects in the El Cóndor and Los Huemules Reserves in Argentine Patagonia. 

The Explora Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve is the expedition company’s newest real estate offering combining land ownership and conservation next to the Torres del Paine National Park. 

* www.explora.com/are-you-ready-to-start-your-journey-to-uyuni, www.explora.com/lodge-uyuni-salt-flats/ and www.explora.com 

* Andrea Schnoor at aschnoor@andreaschnoor.com

‘Trees for Days’ initiative launches to support community and the environment

G Adventures has announced the launch of its new Trees for Days initiative, bringing the empowerment of local communities and protection of the environment and closer together to enact powerful change through travel and tourism.

Announced in Cusco, Peru on World Tourism Day, during the inaugural GX Summit – the first world community tourism summit – Trees for Days asserts G adventures’ commitment to preserving communities and the environment around the world. Moving forward, for every day a traveller is on a G Adventures trip, one tree will be grown, helping to both mitigate carbon emissions and increase support in 17 local communities around the world. The tree-planting projects are in locations that have been severely impacted by climate change through deforestation, or that are currently under threat. By supporting the development of sustainable tourism enterprises within these communities, the travel industry can help protect the environment, as well as create additional income streams for local people, most often benefiting and empowering marginalised Indigenous populations, women, and youth.

In partnership with G Adventures’ non-profit partner Planeterra, which uses community tourism to change lives, and Reforest, which actively supports tree planting and forest conservation work around the world, it is estimated that more than one and a half million trees will be planted each year. Travellers will be able to log into their G Adventures account and keep tabs on their tree grove in terms of how many trees they’ve grown and where they’ve planted their roots.

The small group adventure tour operator has already planted over one million trees after backdating the planting of trees for every day a traveller has joined a trip since 1 January, 2023. Soon, travellers will be able to contribute beyond the end date of their G Adventures trip by continuing to purchase trees in a region of their choice whenever they travel, via their G Adventures account.

Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, says the vision for the Trees for Days project is to increase the positive impact customers have when travelling with G Adventures, while at the same time supporting communities impacted by climate change.

“As the pioneers of community tourism, supporting local communities is at the core of our DNA. With the increasing urgency to help our planet, I’m thrilled to be announcing our Trees for Days initiative in partnership with Planeterra and Reforest. Our non-profit partner, Planeterra has been instrumental in sourcing the community based tree planting projects, and Reforest - which we invested in last year - is providing the technology platform.

“Our travellers care about making a difference when they travel - and they do that simply by booking a tour with G Adventures. Together, we will address how community tourism can play an important role in helping the planet heal, while uplifting local communities, through reforestation and positive local impact,” says Poon Tip.

Jamie Sweeting, president of Planeterra, says the Trees for Days initiative is a win-win solution for all parties involved.

“The planting of trees not only contributes to the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but it helps promote healthier landscapes and ecosystems such as wetlands, grasslands, and forests, and provides crucial habitats, food, and shelter for wildlife, thus helping to maintain biodiversity.

“Beyond that, helping local environments grow and flourish means they become more resilient to extreme weather events, which protects - and even helps develop - local communities and their sources of income, especially in rural areas. More trees also means cleaner air, and a reduction in the effects of extreme heat,” says Sweeting.

Daniel Walsh, founder of Reforest, added that the Trees for Days programme is a great example of a corporate reforestation program that is not only looking to do some real good for climate, nature and local communities, but will also give customers a very engaging and personalised way to connect with that impact.

“Travellers increasingly want to feel like they are leaving a positive footprint, so a key benefit of this program is that they can feel that sense of ownership of the trees planted for them,” says Walsh.

The 17 projects being supported by the Trees for Days initiative are as follows: 

• Acción Andina Argentina (Argentina)
• Acción Andina Bolivia (Bolivia)
• Acción Andina Peru (Peru)
• Ambadandegama Reforestation Initiative (Sri Lanka)
• Ankilahila 1 Reforestation (Madagascar)Mount Kenya Landscape Restoration (Kenya)
• Indrawati Reforestation (Nepal)
• Argan and Caper Tree Growing (Morocco)
• Kilimanjaro Reforestation (Tanzania)
• La Tigra Agroforestry (Honduras)
• Mahelmudi Reforestation (Nepal)
• Maskarat Nursery: El Khair Women’s Coop (Morocco)
• Nakaseke Community Reforestation (Uganda)
• Soa Zara Reforestation (Madagascar)
• Tana Delta Reforestation (Kenya)
• Thailand Reforestation (Thailand)
• Zalala Titi Reforestation (Mozambique)

For more information, please visit www.gadventures.com/community-tourism/trees-for-days.
* Rachel Jones, Director rachel@thisishelm.com.au

The Central American country of Bolivia spans the Andes Mountains, Atacama Desert and Amazon Basin rainforest

Bolivia

The Central American country of Bolivia spans the Andes Mountains, Atacama Desert and Amazon Basin rainforest. 

At more than 3,500m, its capital, La Paz, sits on the Andes’ Altiplano plateau with snow-capped Mt. Illimani in the background. 

Nearby is Lake Titicaca, the continent’s largest lake, straddling the border with Peru. As such, Bolivia offers varied landscapes and natural spaces still largely untouched by tourism. 

Thaki Voyage is a French and English speaking agency based in La Paz. It sets up customised private trips in Bolivia. Founded in 2011 by Anne Bialek and Jérôme Benassi, Thaki Voyage now unites a small, dynamic and passionate team of French and Bolivians. 

It works to explore new areas, open routes and develop a network of reliable contacts. 

Among the trips it offers are : 

• Multisports adventure for athletes and adventurers 
• Bolivia from all angles over 22 days 
• Bolivia’s treasures in 14 days 
• the country’s crown jewels, and 
• The Andean Triangle taking in Bolivia, Peru and Chile Thaki Voyage also Eternal Love, a romantic getaway for a memorable honeymoon 

 www.thaki-voyage.com and www.travels-bolivia.com 

 Anne Bialek and info@thaki-voyage.com

The Latin American Travel Association established the LATA Foundation to support grassroots initiatives in Latin America

Over the last two years, the LATA Foundation has donated over £130,000 towards 18 projects in 12 countries to help support those who needed it most during the pandemic. 

In 2022, the LATA Foundation is supporting 10 projects in Latin America. 

These range from healthcare and medical support to education and community development, wildlife & conservation and female empowerment. 

Post pandemic, the Foundation is looking to re-establish relationships with the travel sector and help drive new fundraising partners. 

www.latafoundation.org and www.lata.travel

Journey Latin America

Bolivia

Journey Latin America has unveiled Our Ultimate Journey to Latin America to mark 40 years of it operating holidays to Latin America The 40-day itinerary includes six destinations across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. 

It covers a range of wildlife activities, food experiences and some of the key cultural attractions such as Day of the Dead. 

The Latin American Travel Association is represented by LOTUS. 

Website: www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk and www.lata.travel 

Amber Martin at latapr@wearelotus.co.uk

World’s highest cable railway line inaugurated in Bolivia

Bolivian President Evo Morales inaugurated the first segment of the world’s highest cable railway line on Friday, carrying passengers from city to city at up to 4000 metres above sea level.

The cable line connects the capital La Paz with the nearby city of El Alto, through the high Andes mountains, offering stunning views of the snow-capped Illimani, one of Bolivia’s highest peaks.

Constructed by the Austrian company Doppelmayr for US$234 million (A$251.30 million), the line allows passengers to travel between the two cities in less than 10 minutes, compared to more than 30 minutes by road.

“It is a joy that this cable car line is finished,” Morales cheered during the inauguration ceremony in La Paz. “It’s important work for the residents of La Paz.”

La Paz is the highest capital in the world, at an altitude of 3660 metres.

After the ceremony, long lines of people waited in the terminals at both ends, eager for their first experience in the cable car. A “speechless” Jorge Villena was one of the first passengers.

“It’s awesome: the quiet, the view, the Illimani. It’s perfect,” the 25-year-old bank employee.

The cable car line will ultimately travel nearly 10 kilometres. After the first installment – which stretches about 2.6 kilometres – a second segment of 7.3 kilometres is due to be inaugurated by the end of the year.

La Paz and El Alto, an urban conglomerate of more than 1.6 million people “are among the first 10 cities in the world with an inter-city transport system by cable,” said Jorge Dockweiler, director of the state-run Mi Teleferico company.

Cars will run 17 hours a day, 360 days a year and can transport up to 18,000 people an hour, according to official projections.

A ticket goes for three bolivianos (A$0.46), and each car can carry up to 10 passengers.

The only other cable car system in Bolivia is in the city of Cochabamba, in the center of the country, and is designed for tourists.