(Posted 16th January 2025)
Dining experiences are taking centre stage in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry for 2025. Culinary tourism, now valued at $1,090.5 billion and projected to grow to $4,210.2 billion by 2033, is shaping how event planners approach food and beverage offerings, turning meals into memorable, shareable moments that enhance networking and attendee satisfaction.
Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director at ILTM Africa, notes that “food should always be a top priority when designing an event.” Innovative concepts like gourmet braais, interactive food stations, and zero-waste menus are not just feeding guests but also reflecting local culture, fostering connections, and driving higher satisfaction scores.
South Africa, recently crowned Best Culinary Destination in Africa, is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this trend, with Cape Town named the world’s best food city by Condé Nast. These culinary offerings are more than just a meal—they’re shaping destination appeal and transforming events into must-attend experiences.
