Food for thought! One-fifth of Brits admit that local cuisine is the most important factor when choosing a holiday destination

  • 50% of holidaymakers say local cuisine is determining factor when booking
  • 18-34 year olds, in particular, are the ones prioritising gastro tourism
  • Men are more into food, with 33% choosing a destination just to eat there   

By Katie Amey for MailOnline

Published: 08:30 EST, 4 August 2015 | Updated: 08:54 EST, 4 August 2015

Many Brits consider food to be the most important factor when choosing a prospective holiday destination.

Over 50 per cent of British holidaymakers admit that the local cuisine on offer is a determining factor when deciding where to book, while 22 per cent reveal that food is the single most important thing.

And it's men who are far more into their food than women, with nearly a third stating that they'd choose a holiday destination purely because they want to eat there.

Over 50% of British holidaymakers reveal that local cuisine is a determining factor when deciding where to go on holiday, with nearly a third of men stating that they'd choose a location simply to eat there

Over 50% of British holidaymakers reveal that local cuisine is a determining factor when deciding where to go on holiday, with nearly a third of men stating that they'd choose a location simply to eat there

Travel deal comparison site TravelSupermarket, polled 2,000 UK adults to find out about their food preferences while on holiday.

Research showed that it's the younger generation who are truly prioritising gastro tourism, with 35 per cent of 18-34 year olds stating that sampling the local culinary delights drove their holiday location choice.

Of those surveyed, 56 per cent believe food to be more important than the nightlife, 19 per cent believe it to be more important than the culture and tourist sights and 23 per cent said it's more important than their overall budget.

But you don't need to break the bank to indulge on holiday.

Research showed that it's the younger generation - 18 to 34 year olds - who are particularly prioritising gastro tourism when booking holiday destinations

Research showed that it's the younger generation - 18 to 34 year olds - who are particularly prioritising gastro tourism when booking holiday destinations

Over two thirds of those surveyed said that they had eaten street food while abroad. Pictured: a street market in Hong Kong

Over two thirds of those surveyed said that they had eaten street food while abroad. Pictured: a street market in Hong Kong

Over two thirds of those surveyed said they had eaten street food when abroad, with nearly half believing that indulging in street food actually provides them with a more authentic travel experience. 

And 27 per cent actually said they actually prefer to eat street food than to eat in hotel restaurants.

Londoners, in particular, have an insatiable appetite for foodie adventures, with nearly 30 per cent polled stating that food at their holiday destination is the most important thing - the most out of any region.

Capital dwellers are also the most likely to try local street food while on holiday.  

Cathy Toogood, travel editor at TravelSupermarket said: 'Food is such an important part of our lives that it's no wonder this now extends to planning our holidays with nearly a quarter of us thinking it's the most important element when booking a break. 

'The TravelSupermarket International Street Food Challenge is a great way to sample cuisines from around the world and taste your way to your dream holiday destination. 

'We look forward to seeing who will be crowned the winner at the event and helping people plan their next getaway.'

TravelSupermarket's International Street Food Challenge will launch on August 13 in London, hosting local street vendors from around the world. 

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