When people travel now, they do not only go to museums or famous buildings. More and more people also visit local supermarkets. This is often called grocery tourism. Expedia’s 2025 travel trend report said 39% of travelers usually visit a grocery store on a trip, and 44% shop there for local goods they cannot get at home. Skyscanner’s travel trends also show strong interest. It says 55% of U.S. travelers always or often visit local supermarkets abroad, and 31% of American travelers say they plan to explore local supermarkets or grocery stores in 2026. (news.booking.com)
Why are supermarkets becoming tourist spots? One reason is price. A supermarket can be much cheaper than a restaurant. Another reason is culture. In a store, you can see what local people really eat, what brands they trust, and what snacks are popular. Skyscanner says travelers visit supermarkets to find new food and drinks, try local versions of familiar products, and feel more like locals. It also found that views of grocery-shopping talks in travel subreddits rose 78% year over year. (skyscanner.com)
Some stores are now attractions by themselves. Booking.com said Los Angeles is a top place for this trend, and named Erewhon as a tourist hotspot. Skyscanner also points to Tokyo convenience stores and vending machines as part of today’s food travel trend. But there is a serious side too. Booking.com’s 2025 research found 53% of travelers are now conscious of tourism’s impact on local communities, and 73% want the money they spend to go back to those communities. So maybe the best grocery tourist is a quiet one: look, learn, buy something local, and respect the people doing their everyday shopping. (news.booking.com)










