You Won’t Believe Why Most People Travel

When you choose a vacation destination, what’s your number one reason for going? Is it a cheap flight, the scenery, or the culture? Well, according to a new survey commissioned by Harry & David, most Americans plan their trips around food.

So next time you’re looking up reviews for the best restaurants and food trucks in your destination (before you’ve even researched a hotel), know that you’re not alone—”82 percent of the survey respondents agreed that they get most excited about trying the local food and restaurants when traveling to a new destination”.

Also, if you find yourself waxing poetic about the food on your last trip long after you’ve landed, you’re in good company: “nearly two-thirds of consumers surveyed said that they would recommend a vacation destination based solely on its food or cuisine. And food is even more critical to millennials, with 71 percent saying they would recommend a travel spot for its food alone”.

Where should you go if you want a great foodie vacation? The survey named New York City as the most “foodie” city in the United States, followed by San Francisco, Chicago, and Austin.

The survey was commissioned by Harry & David to promote their new regionally inspired baskets from the top foodie cities. So if you can’t get away for a vacation quite yet, you can at least get a little taste of the top destinations. (And, 20% of the net proceeds from the sales of the baskets will be donated to local food banks.)

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Best Cruise Lines for Foodies in 2016
• What to Eat in the World’s Top Foodie Cities
• 12 Superfoods That Will Keep You Healthy While Traveling

Caroline Morse will also travel for food. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram TravelWithCaroline and on Twitter @CarolineMorse1.