Forget souvenirs — travellers in 2025 are packing their bags for a different kind of adventure: one led by taste buds. From Tokyo’s matcha KitKats to Sydney’s iconic Tim Tams, a new global travel trend called Snack Tourism is reshaping how people experience the world — one bite at a time.
Once driven by monuments, museums, and landmarks, modern travellers are now curating their itineraries around the world’s most irresistible local munchies. According to recent travel insights, food has become one of the top motivators for choosing a destination — and it’s not fine dining, but snacks that are stealing the spotlight.
What Is Snack Tourism?
Snack Tourism is the growing trend of travellers planning their holidays around local and regional snacks — the kind you’d find in corner stores and street stalls rather than five-star restaurants.
Instead of collecting souvenirs, tourists are filling their suitcases with cult-favourite treats that tell a story of place and culture: France’s buttery Petit Écolier biscuits, India’s spicy Lays Magic Masala, or Japan’s endless flavours of KitKat.
It’s a new form of cultural immersion — one where a candy wrapper or chip flavour can say as much about a destination as its art or architecture.
The Rise of the Snack Tourist
While older generations planned trips around sightseeing, younger travellers — especially Millennials and Gen Z — are swapping bucket lists for snack lists.
A Skyscanner survey reveals that 47% of UK travellers say local food influences their destination choices. Among Millennials, that figure jumps to 59%, with 70% admitting they budget separately for international snacks. Even Gen Z travellers are proving equally food-driven — with nearly 40% saying they’d rather eat French food than visit the Eiffel Tower.
In short, the world’s explorers are turning into snack connoisseurs.
Where to Taste the Trend: The Skysnacker Lounge
To celebrate this growing obsession, London is hosting The Skysnacker Lounge from October 31 to November 2, 2025 — the world’s first global snack experience.
Over 6,700 snacks from Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australasia will be featured, offering visitors a global tasting journey.
- Europe: Indulge in Daim Bites, Carambar Caramel, and Petit Écolier biscuits — timeless classics of continental comfort.
- The Americas: Sample Cheetos Flamin’ Hot, Nerds Gummy Clusters, and Dr Pepper Strawberry & Cream Soda — the taste of pop culture in a packet.
- Asia: Dive into the bold flavours of Samyang Buldak Ramen Carbonara, KitKat Birthday Cake, and Lays Magic Masala.
- Australasia: Experience the sweet simplicity of Tim Tams, Caramello Koalas, and Violet Crumble — the flavour of Aussie joy.
How to Be a Pro Snack Tourist
If you’re ready to join the snack travel revolution, here’s how to do it right:
- Research before you fly: Use TikTok and travel blogs to discover trending snacks.
- Shop where locals shop: Skip airport stores — go to supermarkets and street vendors.
- Check customs rules: Not all snacks can cross borders, so plan before you pack.
- Leave luggage space: A true snack tourist knows to travel light and return heavy.
- Host a tasting party: Share your snack haul — it’s the sweetest souvenir you can give.
The Future of Travel Is Flavoured
Snack Tourism isn’t just a passing fad — it’s transforming the global travel industry. Tour operators are introducing snack trails, street-food safaris, and culinary pop-ups, all inspired by the humble potato chip or chocolate bar.
Destinations, too, are realising that their snack culture is a gateway to authenticity. After all, a packet of chips often tells a deeper story of local taste, tradition, and innovation.
In this new era of travel, food isn’t just fuel — it’s storytelling. Whether it’s the crunch of a Tim Tam or the spice of a Magic Masala, every snack offers a taste of a nation’s soul.
So the next time you plan a trip, skip the souvenirs and pack for flavour — because in 2025, the world’s best adventures might just come in bite-sized form.