Celebrate World Tourism Day with a Party of Global Flavours

World Tourism Day (27th September) is the perfect excuse to bring the spirit of travel home – and what better way to do it than by hosting a food and drink party inspired by destinations around the world? 

If you can’t hop on a plane this year, you can still take your tastebuds on a journey by recreating the flavours, sights, and sounds of your favourite holiday spots.

Choose Your Destinations

Start by picking a handful of countries that hold special memories for you. Perhaps you loved the tapas culture in Spain, the pasta and wine in Italy, or the street food markets of Thailand?

Each dish or drink can represent a destination you’ve visited – or one still on your travel wish list.

Plan a Global Menu

The beauty of this kind of celebration is its variety. You could go all out with a buffet, or keep things simple with small plates and sharing platters. Some ideas:

Spain: patatas bravas, chorizo bites, jugs of sangria

Italy: bruschetta, mini pizzas, tiramisu, Prosecco

Mexico: tacos, nachos with guacamole, margaritas

Japan: sushi rolls, gyoza dumplings, matcha tea cocktails

India: samosas, curry bowls, mango lassi

Mix and match based on what you enjoy making – or order from your local international supermarket or takeaway to save time.

Drinks from Around the Globe

Pair your dishes with drinks that match their origins. Think Italian wines, Japanese sake, Mexican tequila, Belgian beers, or simply a selection of global soft drinks for a non-alcoholic spread.

Bring the Atmosphere Alive

It’s not just about taste – make your party an immersive experience:

Playlists: Create a mix of world music – samba from Brazil, reggae from Jamaica, flamenco guitar from Spain.

Decorations: Flags, travel souvenirs, postcards, or even maps make great conversation starters.

Photographs & Videos: Print out your favourite holiday snaps or create a slideshow to run in the background. Videos of street scenes, beaches, or cultural festivals can transport your guests instantly.

Share the Fun

Encourage your guests to bring along a dish or drink inspired by their own travels. It not only lightens your workload but also makes for some fantastic stories as people explain why they chose that particular country or recipe.

Capture the Memories

Don’t forget to take photographs and short videos during the evening. A group photo in front of your global spread, or a clip of everyone raising a glass to World Tourism Day, will make a wonderful keepsake – and it’s perfect content to share on social media if you want to inspire others.

Hosting a food and drink party for World Tourism Day is a brilliant way to celebrate the richness of global cultures, spark conversations about travel, and enjoy a feast that spans continents. Even if you can’t be jet-setting right now, you can still bring the world to your table.

How to Launch a Local Food and Drink Trail with Your Tourism Board, Chamber of Commerce and Businesses

Creating a food and drink trail in your local town or suburb is a fantastic way to promote regional producers, support small businesses, and encourage tourism. 

Whether you're in a bustling market town, a picturesque suburb, or a rural village, a well-organised trail can bring people together and boost the local economy. 

Here's how you can get started by working collaboratively with your tourism board, chamber of commerce, and food and drink businesses.

1. Understand the Power of a Food and Drink Trail

Food and drink trails offer visitors a curated experience, a way to sample the best local bites, sips, and stories in one cohesive journey. 

Trails not only encourage people to explore your area, but they also extend visitor stays, increase spending in local shops, and create memorable experiences that drive return visits and positive word of mouth.

2. Rally Your Partners

A successful trail starts with collaboration. Reach out to:

Your Local Tourism Board – They can help with promotion, mapping, branding, and grant funding.

Chamber of Commerce – They’ll likely know all the local business owners and can coordinate with a wider network of stakeholders.

Independent Businesses – Bakeries, breweries, distilleries, delis, cafés, pubs, farm shops, and restaurants all bring something unique to the table.

Host a meeting to share the concept and invite feedback. Emphasise how participation can increase footfall and visibility for each venue.

3. Decide on the Trail Format

Will it be a walking trail, a driving route, or a combination of both? Consider:

Themed Trails – For example, “The Artisan Trail”, “Sweet Tooth Tour”, or “Ale and Tapas Route”.

Time-Limited Events – A weekend trail, monthly tasting night, or seasonal campaign (like a Christmas trail).

Permanent Trail – With printed maps, a mobile app, or signage around town.

Whatever format you choose, make sure it’s accessible and clearly signposted.

4. Create a Brand and Marketing Plan

Work with your tourism board and local creatives to design a logo, trail map, and website or landing page. Include:

Descriptions of each business on the trail

Opening hours

Contact details

Social media handles

GPS or paper map routes

Encourage each business to promote the trail on their own platforms, and consider setting up a dedicated Instagram or Facebook page.

5. Offer Incentives and Experiences

Add value to your trail by offering:

Passports and Stamps – Visitors get a stamp at each stop and can win a prize for completing the trail.

Tasting Experiences – Offer exclusive samples, behind-the-scenes tours, or chef’s specials for trail participants.

Trail Tickets – Charge a small fee to cover a tasting at each location, which can help with logistics and funding.

6. Think Seasonally and Sustainably

Plan themed trails around events like British Food Fortnight, harvest season, or Christmas markets. Make sure you include:

Recycling points

Clear travel information (public transport options or parking)

Accessibility for all

This will help position your trail as a responsible and inclusive experience.

7. Measure and Celebrate Success

Track attendance, social media engagement, and business feedback. Ask visitors for reviews and testimonials. Celebrate your successes with press coverage, thank-you events, and public recognition of participating businesses.

Conclusion: Taste the Potential

A food and drink trail isn't just about eating and drinking – it’s about community pride, storytelling, and economic development. By bringing together your local tourism board, chamber of commerce, and food and drink businesses, you can create something that puts your town or suburb on the culinary map.

So, get planning, get tasting, and get your town ready to show off its finest flavours!

Need help planning your trail or designing your promotional materials? Your tourism board may offer support, and many local designers or marketing students are keen to get involved in community projects. Keep it local – and keep it delicious!

Foodie Travel Guide Publisher Printslinger Partners With Wild Guides

Printslinger Limited, an independent Bristol-based publisher of foodie travel guides, is thrilled to reveal announce its books will be represented by Wild Things Publishing Limited from this month, July 2025.  

Wild Things created the popular Wild Guides, Wild Swimming, and Lost Lanes series, among other titles, and it has previously held the British Book Awards' Small Press of the Year award. 

The Extra Mile Guide: over 50,000 copies sold 

Printslinger's flagship title, The Extra Mile: Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services, has sold over 50,000 copies to date with a new edition planned for next year, 2026. 

The company, known as Extra Mile Books on social media, was founded by travel publisher Alastair Sawday and writer Laura Collacott in 2017. It now has three café and foodie guides which celebrate local, independent food businesses across Britain: 

* The Extra Mile: Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services 

* The Coastal Café Guide: Eating on the Edge 

* The Farm Shop Guide: Farm to Fork Food 

Each title has hit the Amazon #1 category bestseller and #1 most gifted spot, and Printslinger's books have received coverage on BBC Good Morning TV, national radio channels, and traditional and online outlets including The Times, The Scotsman, Waitrose Weekend and The Telegraph. 

British food tourism and travel guides: the outlook is sunny 

In Britain, domestic travel and food tourism are increasing. Google searches for 'staycation' surpass 10,000 every month, with driving holidays a pillar of UK leisure travel. 

Sampling local food and drink ranks highly on the visitor agenda, with the value of the UK's culinary tourism market predicted to hit £2.5 billion by 2030.  

Domestic overnight tourism in the UK has increased 160% from 45 million annual trips in 2021 to 117 million in 2024, and 1.2 billion domestic day visits in 2023 generated over £50 billion in tourism spend. 

In this flourishing home market, Printslinger's books make ideal purchases for those planning summer escapes across Britain who prefer to eat locally while escaping the monotony of motorway services. 

A natural partnership 

Since its foundation in 2012, Wild Things has sold over one million books, and its outdoor and travel guides continue to inspire adventurers and lovers of the countryside. Daniel Start, founder and author, told That's Food and Drink:“We've always loved the concept of Printslinger's books. A little bit of extra effort and knowledge can reward the traveller with hidden quality and a sense of adventure, too."

Kerry O'Neill, Printslinger's director of publishing, agrees, saying; “There's a natural connection between Wild Guides and our own books. Both brands' readers are independent minded and love to seek out the unusual and the road less travelled... quite literally in our case, as we encourage people to swap motorway services for nearby independent eateries while exploring Britain.  

“We're thrilled The Extra Mile and Printslinger's newer and pending titles will now be represented by Daniel Start and his team. A tireless creator, Daniel imagined and launched the first Wild Swimming guide in 2008, with Wild Guides following in 2013. He's remained a step ahead ever since, with useful and zeitgeisty titles appearing just as you realise you need them. We can't wait to see where this new partnership and energy takes our expanding range of titles.”   

Book idea submissions welcome

Printslinger is growing. It welcomes approaches from established writers with subject or region-specific expertise with their book ideas for publication in the UK. Accommodation-based books are not invited but relevant topics of interest include food and drink, growing food and sustainability, the great outdoors, niche region or country-specific guides, van-life, upcoming regions, and fast-growing outdoor sports or healthy pastimes. Those that fit 'The Xxxx Xxxxx Guide' format would work well alongside existing titles.

Wild Things will represent Printslinger for all trade sales.

https://wildthingspublishing.com/

https://theextramile.guide/