Our Story
By Culinary Tourism Operators for Culinary Tourism Operators
An innovative online marketplace designed to bring operators together
It all started with Global Tours Connect. An innovative online marketplace designed to bring together history, food, and cultural tour operators from around the world. Created as a collaborative platform by operators, for operators, it quickly became much more than just a booking site. From there, it evolved into a vibrant virtual meeting place where culinary experience professionals could share ideas, build relationships, and grow their businesses together.
Our Origins
A Community of professionals dedicated to showcasing flavors and stories
GCTA (Global Culinary Tourism Association) is a collective created by culinary tourism operators, for culinary tourism operators. We are a community of passionate professionals dedicated to showcasing the flavors, stories, and cultures that define our regions through immersive food and drink experiences.
Our Vision
To support and elevate culinary tourism
Our mission is to support and elevate culinary tourism by providing a platform for collaboration, education, advocacy, and innovation. We bring together the diverse voices that make up the culinary tourism landscape. From food tour guides and farm-to-table chefs to brewers, distillers, and destination marketers!
Our Mission
We're here to help you grow, connect, and thrive in culinary tourism
We understand the unique challenges and opportunities in this field because we've lived them. Maybe you're guiding guests through vibrant markets or offering unforgettable tasting experiences. Perhaps you're curating culinary journeys that introduce people to place. No matter how you connect people with food, we're here to help you grow, connect, and thrive.
Our Offerings
Recognizing the unique needs and opportunities faced by culinary tourism operators, the Global Culinary Tours Association (GCTA) was founded on this shared longing to connect more deeply.
Our association exists to unite those who celebrate their communities' stories, history, and culture through immersive culinary experiences. We are more than an organization—we are a community of passionate professionals committed to elevating the art of culinary tourism worldwide.
Our Community
founded on this shared longing to connect more deeply
From humble beginnings, GCTA has grown into a trusted platform for collaboration, education, advocacy, and innovation. We bring together a diverse range of voices—food tour guides, farm-to-table chefs, brewers, distillers, destination marketers, and many more—who are dedicated to crafting remarkable food and drink journeys that connect people to place.
Our Growth
An innovative online marketplace designed to bring operators together
Our Future
Through our continued efforts, we foster an environment that enables culinary tourism operators to thrive professionally while preserving and promoting the rich culinary heritage that defines their regions. Together, we are shaping the future of culinary tourism—one story, one bite, one unforgettable experience at a time.
we foster an environment where culinary tourism operators can thrive
