Top 10 Websites for Foodie Travelers 2022
IGCAT’s Top 10 Websites for Foodie Travelers 2022 were announced in Menorca, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2022, on 5 April 2022.
The top 10 websites from the World and European Regions of Gastronomy for 2022 were selected by an international jury of experts as best practises according to their usability, sustainability and creativity of the experiences offered, as well as their connection with the regions they promote.
– Prize for Cross-Sectoral Experiences Involving Multiple Stakeholders –
The jury complimented that most offers are composed of immersive activities that bring travelers closer to Catalan Culture, Heritage and Gastronomy and that they combine several aspects of what Catalonia is. The website also hosts a variety of activities such as local products tasting, beekeeper experience, make your own olive oil, tasting menu on a mussel farm, visit a caviar factory with tasting, chocolate tasting and tours etc. that involve many stakeholders from across the region.
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
“NJOY Catalonia offers a wide range of immersive experiences and tours in unspoilt Catalonia. In NJOY Catalonia we love Catalonia, its customs, its people, its gastronomy and wine… For this reason we respect the environment that surrounds us as much as possible and we work in collaboration with local expert professionals and businesses to offer our clients real experiences at destination. Thanks to several filters (destination, type of activities, type of travelers group) we allow our customers to find the experience they are looking for in Catalonia. Our offer is mainly composed of immersive activities that bring our travelers closer to Catalan Culture, Heritage and Gastronomy, that combine several aspects of what Catalonia is. We do think Tourism has to be a sustainable sector. That is the reason why we are the first Catalan online agency for Eco-friendly travelers, as each person who books an experience or a tour through our website will contribute to offset CO2 emissions, through our eco-commitment “A traveler, A tree”. To sum up we aim at being the Catalan reference for eco-friendly travelers who are looking for original and immersive experiences in Catalonia.”
– Prize for Supporting Mini-Enterprises in Providing Quality Experiences –
The jury complimented that Experience Catalonia improves the quality of service provided and therefore is not just a website but a public support for micro-experiences. They ensure that all experiences meet high standards for reception and hospitality of the tourist. Besides well-being, the portal aims to highlight authenticity, sustainability, proximity and diversity of the Catalan territory, “making it clear that it is possible to fully enjoy Catalonia throughout year, thanks to a wide variety of experiential activities.”
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
“Experience Catalonia wants to give importance to the security elements and normality for the reception and hospitality of the tourist, well-being, authenticity, the sustainability, proximity and diversity of the Catalan territory, making it clear that it is possible to fully enjoy Catalonia throughout year, thanks to a wide variety of experiential activities.”
– Prize for Accessibility to International Travellers –
The jury complimented that besides weekly walks, the company offers are tailor-made tours. The company prides itself on it’s personal touch comparing the tours to a walk with a friend and an opportunity to learn about the history, culture, and cuisine of the city including tastings, cultural experiences and always with food in focus. The jury applauded the English version of the website that makes it clear that international visitors will be made to feel at home. The ease and clarity of information on the website was also applauded.
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
“At FOOD WALK you can have a guided experience beyond the usual, where culture and food meet. We offers weekly guided tours as well as private events.
We’re the founding fathers of Food Walk in Denmark. But to be honest with you: our food and wine walking tours feel less like tours and more like taking a walk with a local friend who wants to share the history, culture, and cuisine of our beloved city. So that you can experience and taste the city’s specialties, and at the same time have a cultural experience with the food in focus.”
– Prize for Captivating Interface –
The jury complimented this website for its efforts to direct visitors away from mass tourism offers to a more sustainable and authentic offer. The personal touch is added by the guides being born and raised on the Island of Rhodes, therefore the tours can offer exceptional local knowledge and a personalised, hands-on service. The company claims to support the local economy by not only recruiting local guides and employees but also cooperating with local external partners (local accommodations, sailing boats, “taverns”/restaurants, etc.). “Promoting the local products produced in Rhodes.” The jury noted that multiple tavernas and even boat companies are promoted to offer discerning visitors an island hopping experience with an important food factor. The attention to safeguard the quality of life of local citizens particularly impressed the jury.
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
“RhodeTrip is a team of dedicated and enthusiastic locals on one mission: to show our guests the “real” Rhodes, as we the locals see it, away from the mass tourism facilities that the island offers in excess. Born and raised on the beautiful Island of Rhodes we offer exceptional local knowledge and a personalised, hands-on service that allows for authentic travel experiences.”
– Prize for Promoting the European Region of Gastronomy Award –
The jury complimented that Taste Savo portal is clearly linked to the values and principles of Kuopio, European Region of Gastronomy Awarded 2020-21 and is completely centred on gastronomy and food. While the website lists a wide range of regular events and activities that will tickle the taste buds of tourists who happen to be in the area, the website is complemented by bookable activities suitable for both individual travellers and groups. The hard work of the Rural Women’s Advisory Organisation / ProAgria Eastern Finland has paid off with new and exciting experiences now being offered to visitors so that they can enjoy nature, activities, good food and find local accommodation. The jury are impressed that nearly 100 companies, event operators, educational institutions and development organisations from all over the province are involved in the development work and that the website is part of a wider strategic plan (GastroPlan).
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
“Taste Savo portal – The European Region of Gastronomy Kuopio and North Savo Awarded 2020-21 is centred on gastronomy and food and it comprises events and activities that will tickle the taste buds of tourists. The programme is based on existing events and festivals, complemented by activities suitable for both individual travellers and groups. The central theme of North Savo and Kuopio is living according to nature’s rhythm. Finland’s pure nature, midnight sun, high-quality natural ingredients and everyone’s right to roam and pick berries, mushrooms and wild herbs are part of our everyday lives and something we want to share with tourists. We have put together content that combines nature, activities, good food and accommodation. Our partners have collaborated to produce a contents, including food events, rural markets, events combining food and culture, pop-up restaurants in interesting settings, group travels excursions and cultural heritage. Our partner restaurants use ingredients from local producers and adapt Finnish culinary traditions to the present with professional skill.
“Behind the site is a project collaboration between Rural Women’s Advisory Organisation / ProAgria Eastern Finland, the City of Kuopio, SavoGrown and Savonia University of Applied Sciences. Nearly 100 companies, event operators, educational institutions and development organisations from all over the province are involved in the development work. Strategic work has been carried out on projects at the strategic level, both regionally (GastroPlan) and influencing the funding programs for the forthcoming programming period in international cooperation (EUREGA). Towards strategic goals, the Gastro Business project supports the development of companies through training, the ERG Jubilee Year project, in which the jubilee year program is implemented in practice. In the Savonian is a Taste of Mind project, the European Region of Gastronomy is made known regionally and with the participation of special groups. SME group projects, such as the Gastronomic Bridge, which focuses on food business cooperation and exports, and the Four Season Derby, which emphasises the support and implementation of rural tourism productisation.”
– Prize for Contribution to Sustainability –
The jury complimented that this portal focuses on sustainable production, local brands, self-sufficiency and the intertwining of Slovenian traditional gastronomy with modern and fresh flavours. The jury appreciates that top chefs and their restaurants are profiled alongside special gastronomy experiences. Slovenia has developed a special certified Slovenia unique experience label to encourage high quality activities focussed for discerning foodies whose primary motive is to visit Slovenia for its gastronomy. The website offers extensive information so that visitors can book directly with the organisers nevertheless it has a very strong brand and strong social media presence using the #tasteslovenia hashtag.
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
“Taste Slovenia is a national website dedicated to the presentation of Slovenian gastronomy. Slovenia is a country with a rich gastronomic heritage, which stretches between the Alps, the Pannonian Plain, the Karst and the Mediterranean. All these landscapes provide a diverse variety of natural ingredients as well as the influence of different cuisines. We are most proud of the extremely high proportion of local ingredients that we obtain practically “from garden to table”, whether we cook at home or indulge in many top restaurants and local inns. Winemakers are increasingly using sustainable, biodynamic production, which is possible because of the diversity of our land and highly desired and appreciated worldwide. The Taste Slovenia website supports such stories – the stories of Slovenia as a sustainable gastronomic destination for top gastronomic boutique experiences – in cities, in the countryside, by the sea, under and in on the mountains. It was published live in June 2020, when a live broadcast of the first international gastronomic guide Michelin revelation for Slovenia was made. The website is also the main platform for all B2C information and communication campaigns connected to the prestigious title “European Gastronomic Region 2021″. The purpose of the portal is to bring users closer to the content that represents Slovenian gastronomy in its true light – focused on sustainable production, local brands, self-sufficiency and the intertwining of a rich tradition with modern and fresh flavors. Important part are top chefs and their restaurants and special gastronomy experiences (the STB has a special certified Slovenia unique experience label). The biggest emphasis and the most read content are boutique stories – the stories of producers that are special, unique in their work and quality has been recognised by many domestic and foreign top chefs, who include those products in their offer. Boutique stories, gastronomy experiences and events are the most lively part of the content for the users. It is important for us to maintain posts via Instagram on #tasteslovenia, as this way we get live user generated content, implemented on the home website. We are regularly informing users through dedicated newsletters about novelties and interesting topics related to gastronomy and direct them to top experiences and, finally, educate them about the production, the ingredients themselves and their appropriate use. The target users are foodies and those, whose one of the primary motives for visiting Slovenia is gastronomy.”
– Prize for Promoting Local Food Products –
The jury complimented that site consists of a series of dedicated directories with information accessible to visitors: gastronomic products, a Gastronomy and Wine Selection with quality certification program for restaurants, traditional recipes, the best as well as an extensive list of nearly 100 authentic gastronomic visits and experiences in the territory. Additionally, the jury liked that the portal’s homepage is entirely dedicated to the European Region of Gastronomy distinction, as well as reflecting its priorities and objectives. The Platform’s activities and related to this distinction are also advertised on the portal’s news and events pages.
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
“The user can take a journey through the variety, diversity and richness of the gastronomy of the Region of Coimbra. The site consists of a series of dedicated directories with information accessible to visitors: gastronomic products, restaurants integrated in the Gastronomy and Wine Selection quality certification program, traditional recipes with recipes that can be made and tasted with family and friends. , the best and most authentic gastronomic visits and experiences in the territory, and the most important element of the entire gastronomy value chain: the producers.”
– Prize for Educational, Inclusive, and/or Family-Friendly Experiences –
The jury complimented that this website provides an exciting range of experiences that aim to help visitors discover local products on the island through participatory activities. The experiences are beautifully designed with an educational focus for families, children and groups. The jury also appreciated the wide variety of activities offered that include guided tours, gastronomic experiences, sensory tastings, workshops and rural laboratories, among other cultural and creative initiatives that, besides showcasing the local products, give a direct voice to the local producers.
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
“For Sa Cooperativa del Camp de Menorca, our website is a way to publicise our DNA and the social, business and personal commitment we have with our producer partner in the primary sector and our environment.
At secooperativadelcamp.com we offer more than 500 references of local products that we offer to our customers, both individuals and professionals in the HORECA channel, for whom we have a perfectly adapted commercial division.
From our website we also give access to our physical stores, which are a necessary platform to be able to reach the final consumer with guarantees. And we also have a line from our market place that sends us to our consumer’s home with fresh and excellent quality products.
At Sa Cooperativa del Camp we work to favour the intermediation and distribution management of the small producer who produces with high quality but has difficulties in undertaking all viability and selling his product.
To close the circle and return all the prominence to the producers, five years ago we began a program of guided tours, gastronomic experiences, workshops and rural laboratories to publicise the product from its origin, such as the production processes and give visibility to the people who do it. On our website there are more than 20 different proposals, including visits, tastings and other experiences, which allow us to reach a wide audience.”
– Prize for User-Friendliness –
The jury complimented the exciting range of experiences on this completely dedicated website that is designed to help visitors discover authentic Menorcan cuisine with the best chefs and in the best restaurants and/or emblematic places on the island. The website is beautifully designed and has a great brand. It is also clear and easily bookable. The website is up to date, fresh and offers beautiful imagery of the island. It promotes stimulating hands-on activities such as making one’s own cheese, learning how to cook lobster or producing healthy meals with local products.
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
“With the Cómete Menorca gastronomic experiences you will intensely enjoy the local kitchen and everything that surrounds it. Discover the authentic Menorcan cuisine with the best chefs and in the best restaurants and emblematic places on the island; get to know its recipes, its history, its traditions, its products through various activities: From the land and the sea to the table, A trip to the Menorcan cuisine of the 18th century, a Gourmet Tour through three farms, Knowing, elaborating and tasting Lobster with the Lobster Experience, etc”
– Prize for Quality Information, Images, and Photos –
The jury complimented that the local food experiences have a strong focus on the web site and showcase a new generation of young chefs who have moved back home to Trondheim and established new and exciting restaurants based on locally sourced produce. The jury were pleased with the visibility of the Trondheim-Trøndelag, European Region of Gastronomy Award and recommend that this be carried forward as a legacy. The jury were pleased to see direct booking links, a wide range of members and cooperating partners, and the effort to contribute to increase their business. The jury were also happy that the site is in English as this provides better access for international visitors to the region.
ABOUT THE WEBSITE
“Visit Trondheim is Trondheim’s destination company and our website www.visittrondheim.no is the main tourist information site and digital tourist office.
Our mission is to inspire the visitors who plan to travel to Trondheim and those who already have arrived to book experiences, to share special stories about the city, the people, the food and drink scene, the culture, the history, the activities and the nature. The portal is built to make it easy to navigate and find what the visitors are looking for.
The local food experiences have a strong focus on the web site and showing a new generation of young chefs who have moved back home to Trondheim and established new and exciting restaurants based on locally sourced produce.
With selected film and photo combined with inspiring, authentic stories, we aim to make potential visitors from near and far curious about Norway’s culinary hidden gem, Trondheim.
With direct booking links to our many members and cooperating partners we want to contribute to increase their business and with this make the site relevant for all suppliers in Trondheim.
The site is in Norwegian and English.”
Our Jury
The Top Website for Foodie Travelers Award 2022 was organised by IGCAT and hosted by