One of the best parts of travelling is exploring the country youre visiting.
Unfortunately, for almost half of Brits (46%), that doesnt extend to trying the local cuisine.
A new study has found that more than two thirds of people (68%) will go looking for a takeaway from a brand they recognise. McDonalds – known for offering similar menus across the globe, with some minor exceptions – topped the list as the most popular option (39%), while Burger King (20%) and Subway (14%) followed.
Additionally, one in 10 British people (9%) might be feeling homesick, as they admit to spending most of their holiday in a pub.
The new study, conducted by the flight-comparison site Jetcost, consisted of a poll among 2,300 people over the age of 18, all of whom had been on holiday at least once in the last two years.
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Food remained the main issue when travelling, with just 10% eating local food every day. Meanwhile, one in four (26%) said they try it once (before, presumably, going back to McDonalds).
As for why people are avoiding the local cuisine, the top reasons were because they didnt like the look or smell of the dishes (28%), are fussy when it comes to food (21%) or didnt want to get ill (18%).
By not eating the local cuisine, holiday-goers risk missing out on one of the key experiences of travelling.
But people arent just not eating the food, 24% are also avoiding countries where they dont believe theyd enjoy whats on the menu. India, Japan and China are most commonly avoided, according to the poll.
Travellers are however more open to trying cultural activities and going sightseeing on holiday, with 74% admitting they do, but only 15% would do so more than twice during their trip.
In an effort to find out more, we asked people on Twitter if they will eat the local cuisine on holiday, and if not – why.
Majority of them said they would try local food, though some have had bad experiences in the past.
No point travelling unless you eat what's 'local' though I've had my fair share of food poisoning horror stories but I don't let that put me off. I'd still rather try local food and get a bit ill.
— Momtaz Begum-Hossain (@TheCraftCafe) May 29, 2019
Not always "local" cuisine, but I look for restaurants (even if it's a chain) I can't get at home. I traveled with a group to NYC last year and was so gutted that they preferred to play it safe with chain restaurants we have in the UK
— nazma (@nazma_knows) May 29, 2019
Local! Best meal in Delhi years ago was a £5 chicken, breads and dips. Love to try new local cuisine and a huge part of travelling for me. Even nibbled on guinea pig in Peru (and alpaca!)
— Jenny Stallard (@SaintAllard) May 29, 2019
I look on instagram and blogs for recommendations of local places! I've been to a couple of tourist trap restaurants before when the food & service has been below average so do my research now beforehand
— S O P H I E
(@scnightingale) May 29, 2019
def local food. It's the best way to have a real taste the cuisine of a country – and you also get stories of how things are made and why they're special.
