OUR MISSION:

To help food and beverage manufacturers and providers, as well as destinations and travel industry professionals, to package and promote their culinary treasures as marketable and sellable attractions. The ICTA and its related organizations accomplish the mission by facilitating partnerships between complementary organizations, facilitating culinary tourism product development and marketing, developing education, conducting and publishing research and promoting best practices in culinary tourism management.

OUR GOALS:

→ Partnerships

To maintain an ongoing dialogue with other food, beverage and travel organizations to ensure the Association's projects enhance, and do not duplicate, the work and concerns of other organizations.

To help businesses and governments understand how culinary tourism can promote economic and community development.

To work to foster a closer marriage among fresh food producers, the food/beverage industry, and all segments of the tourism industry.

→ Product Development & Marketing

To facilitate collaboration among professionals to develop best practices in culinary tourism product development and marketing.

The Association's Product Development and Marketing goals are fulfilled by its sister company, Epicopia Culinary Tourism Publishing & Consulting.

→ Education & Research

To help professionals and consumers to understand the relationship between food/beverage and tourism.

To dispel confusion between the terms "culinary tourism" and "agritourism".

To promote the recognition of cuisine as a manifestation of culture.

To promote the awareness of food and beverage as tools that foster cross-cultural communication and understanding.

◊ The Association's Education and Research goals are fulfilled by its sister organization, the International Culinary Tourism Institute.