Once, travelers crossed borders to marvel at architectural wonders or collect handcrafted souvenirs. People would visit Paris to see Monalisa and Italy to get a glimpse at the leaning tower of Pisa. Trends have changed. Today, many are packing their bags for something far more different, snacks. The global trend known as “snack tourism” is reshaping travel habits, as people journey across continents to taste iconic regional treats.
Snack tourism, a growing offshoot of culinary and food tourism, focuses on travelers seeking out iconic local snacks and packaged treats during their journeys. Unlike traditional gastronomy tourism, which revolves around fine dining or regional cuisines, snack tourism is about accessible, portable, and often viral food experiences which can be accessed even from a supermarket store or corner stall.
The rise of limited-edition and culturally unique packaged foods, such as Japanese wasabi Kit Kats or Korean spicy noodles from grocery store, and overnight sensation of Dubai Kunafa chocolate, this reflects how global snacking has become a new cultural passport, blending gastronomy, convenience, and collectibility in one trend.
According to Skyscanner’s 2025 Travel Report, more than 40% of Gen Z and millennial travelers now choose destinations based on popular social media food trends.
"Snackification” is a term used for Gen Z’s preference to graze on snacks rather than traditional meals; social media fuels many of these food choices and snack hack
Culinary or food tourism has long been an established travel motivator - emphasizing cultural immersion through food, local dining, and cooking experiences like farm-to-table dining in Tuscany to street food walks in Bangkok.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines food tourism as “traveling for a taste of place in order to get a sense of place.”
However, snack tourism represents a more casual, fast-moving evolution of this idea. Instead of multi-course meals or cooking workshops, travelers now seek portable, ready-to-eat local specialties they can carry home or share online. The difference lies in scale and accessibility:
Food tourism involves restaurants, local markets, and gourmet experiences.
Snack tourism is about everyday, branded snacks - easily shared and taken home as edible souvenirs.
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have amplified this shift, turning regional snacks into global sensations through short-form food reviews and “haul” videos.
The rise of snack tourism is marked by iconic items that have achieved cult status online:
Japan: Regional KitKat flavors such as matcha, sake, sakura and wasabi and different flavored rice crackers and convenience store desserts.
Dubai: Kunafa chocolate and camel milk chocolates are attracting Middle Eastern travelers.
Thailand: Mogu Mogu, a chewy fruit drink, and Tao Kae Noi seaweed snacks are leading exports.
South Korea: Korean convenience-store snack sets like seaweed, flavored nuts, Buns, noodles, and spicy ramyeon varieties are major draws for young food travelers. 10 won bread” waffle and character-driven snack items like honey butter chips are also trendy with K-pop or Asian cultural branding.
Australia: Tim Tams- a popular chocolate filled biscuits.
India: Cities like Delhi, Amritsar, and Indore are emerging as domestic snack tourism hubs, known for street eats and locally packed namkeens.
Snack tourism is primarily driven by Gen Z and millennial travelers, who are motivated by novelty, social media influence, and the desire for “snackable experiences.” These travelers value portability and shareability of the snacks and the digital content they generate. The trend is also rising among urban professionals and influencers who curate “taste trails” during short trips. Food vlogging has evolved mostly into these "haul" shorts.
Food Tourism Hotspots: Italy, France, Japan, Thailand, and Mexico are known for immersive cultural and culinary experiences.
Snack Tourism Hotspots: Japan, South Korea, Thailand, UAE (Dubai), and the U.S. (New York, Los Angeles) are famous for limited-edition snacks and viral food trends.
In India, snack tourism is finding ground in states like Kerala, Delhi, and Gujarat, where food trails blend street snacks with local heritage.
While snack tourism supports local economies and cultural exchange, it also raises health considerations. Frequent consumption of high-sugar, high-fat, and high-sodium snacks such as chocolates, chips, and flavored beverages may contribute to metabolic disorders, obesity, and cardiovascular risks if consumed excessively.
Health experts recommend moderation and awareness of ingredient labeling, especially when trying international packaged snacks. The Mayo Clinic and NIH emphasize balancing such indulgences with physical activity and nutrient-rich diets to avoid long-term health effects.
Snack tourism represents the intersection of travel, culture, and consumer behavior, transforming the way people connect with global cuisines. As travelers increasingly collect “snack souvenirs” instead of traditional memorabilia, the trend reflects not just changing appetites but also evolving definitions of cultural experience in the digital era which might reflect in the coming health patterns ahead too.