Travel across Europe has transformed, with travelers now embracing supermarket tourism as a unique method to experience local culinary delights.
Supermarket Tourism: The New Way to Experience Local Culture
Supermarket Tourism: The New Way to Experience Local Culture
With the rise of supermarket tourism, travelers are discovering local flavors and food cultures beyond traditional dining experiences.
In the summer of 1989, while interrailing through Europe, I discovered the familiar yet exotic charm of supermarkets and convenience stores in a variety of countries. They provided a comforting resemblance to home with their bright lighting and familiar aisles filled with breakfast cereals and laundry detergents. Yet, they also became gateways to experiencing local food culture, enabling me to explore local delicacies such as salty licorice, prawn-flavored chips, and dark rye bread.
In recent years, this fascinating concept, dubbed supermarket tourism, has garnered significant attention among travelers. It includes not only the thrill of trying new and unexpected flavors but also the joy of observing local lifestyles and preferences while sidestepping tourist-oriented restaurants.
Keith Crockford, chief executive of the Bucket List Company, explains, “The allure lies in the thrill of the discovery. It’s about unearthing exotic fruits and vegetables I’ve never encountered before, deciphering labels in unfamiliar languages and marveling at the sheer variety of products that reflect the local tastes and preferences.”
This increasing fascination with supermarket tourism was propelled last year by a surge of social media posts from travel influencers. Motivated by this trend, Crockford's team conducted research into the phenomenon, analyzing online search terms through Metis software. The results, released in November, revealed a particular interest in the supermarkets and convenience stores of Japan, Mexico, Italy, South Korea, and Thailand.
Supermarket tourism is not just about food; it’s about cultural exploration and connection, making it an essential part of modern travel experiences. So next time you travel, don't just hit the tourist spots – step into a local supermarket and discover the hidden flavors of the place.
In recent years, this fascinating concept, dubbed supermarket tourism, has garnered significant attention among travelers. It includes not only the thrill of trying new and unexpected flavors but also the joy of observing local lifestyles and preferences while sidestepping tourist-oriented restaurants.
Keith Crockford, chief executive of the Bucket List Company, explains, “The allure lies in the thrill of the discovery. It’s about unearthing exotic fruits and vegetables I’ve never encountered before, deciphering labels in unfamiliar languages and marveling at the sheer variety of products that reflect the local tastes and preferences.”
This increasing fascination with supermarket tourism was propelled last year by a surge of social media posts from travel influencers. Motivated by this trend, Crockford's team conducted research into the phenomenon, analyzing online search terms through Metis software. The results, released in November, revealed a particular interest in the supermarkets and convenience stores of Japan, Mexico, Italy, South Korea, and Thailand.
Supermarket tourism is not just about food; it’s about cultural exploration and connection, making it an essential part of modern travel experiences. So next time you travel, don't just hit the tourist spots – step into a local supermarket and discover the hidden flavors of the place.
