Whether for adventure travel or more relaxing respites, travelers are increasingly seeking regionally-authentic itineraries that offer an intimate view of local cultures. In fact, reports show the trend of being “connoisseurs of local culture” will boom this year. “Indigenous tourism and cultural immersion experiences—especially those with culinary components—are white hot,” says travel expert Merilee Kern of TheLuxeList.com. “For culturally AND culinary-minded meanderers, food tourism has evolved into a mission critical travel consideration.”
Exemplifying this is data from Venngage underscoring the importance of food in travel, revealing that over a third of tourism spending is devoted to food. In fact, nearly three fourths of millennials—69.4 percent—are “food & cuisine driven travelers,” according to a Destination Analysts, Inc. study, which also revealed baby boomers are like-minded at 62.7 percent.
Interestingly, this foodie-driven travel trend is being bolstered by the private villa vacation sector, specifically, with many such residences surpassing leading luxe resorts relative to authentic epicurean experiences in addition to accommodations and amenities. “Today’s bespoke breed of private villa vacation rentals have become the ultimate ‘victual vacation’ indulgence for leisure and business travelers, alike,” notes Kern.
One private villa exemplifying this experience is Casa Dos Cisnes –Puerto Vallarta’s foremost premier private oceanfront villa. This 10,000 square foot property, a five-bedroom colonial style home with breathtaking views of the Pacific, goes over-and-above to ensure each gasto-guest’s needs, desires and expectations for an extraordinary, foodie-forward private villa vacation are fulfilled. This includes custom gourmet meals prepared on-site by a dedicated 5-star private chef specializing in Mexican-contemporary cuisine, served in an elegant separate dining room that seats up to 12. This private gourmet chef also prepares what this villa calls a “Magical Mexican Fiesta”—a lively evening of regional food, cocktails and Mexican musicians entertaining at the property. This is available to guests in addition to three full meals a day plus snack and happy hour service, which can be served in the dining room or the separate dining terraces at the main and pool levels.
“While gourmet private chef-prepared meals, maximized privacy and security, uber-tailored guest service and 5-star accommodations and amenities are chief reasons the trend toward private villa lodging is exploding, an elite few like Casa Dos Cisnes have offerings far beyond that don’t just rival, but far exceed, those offered by high-end resorts—including those elite Penthouse suites,” Kern says. “Private villa residences offering first class, one-of-a-kind services are ushering in an entirely new era of bespoke hospitality around the globe. They are, in fact, single-handedly setting a new and decidedly elevated standard for luxe travel worldwide.”
Featured image from Girl with the Golden Tiffin.
