I would think there would be huge interest in this. The only negatives I foresee are that perhaps people would tend to do this on their own rather than on an organized tour or that they would be more inclined to join a tour if it was to a foreign location. But neither of those apply to everyone. I would expect the market still to be very large.

The key to marketing would be to have clear themes and excellent descriptions. South Carolina's Low Country Cuisine sounds appealing to me. Good luck with the venture.

Jim

will you provide a link to sign up?!

Joe, that would be my daughter's idea of a perfect honeymoon. All she talks about is places she wants to visit for the food, and she's convinced her boyfriend that kind of trip would be ideal. Your Low Country Cuisine trip would really appeal to her. She also wants me to accompany her on a trip like that. If I remember correctly, the Taste of Home magazine used to sponsor similar trips. I think there's a market. I know in my area, Sacramento, California, day or overnight trips are often offered to San Francisco or Napa Valley wine country.

"Joe, that would be my daughter's idea of a perfect honeymoon."

Sorta like Annie's I'm thinking. :-)

Jim

I'm sure there is a market, finding it is the travel agents job! Gourmet has a new issue on cooking school vacations for which people pay big bucks.

You want to be booked into inns that have a culinary reputation, take them to farmer's market and if possible, a local food producer; farmer, jam maker, cheese maker, brewer, basket weaver etc. Cooking class or demo would be needed and lots of product tasting and sampling. And of course reservations at great restaurants, some of them local dives, not just high end/

In case you can't tell I'd love to be able to do these kind of tours, I've given them lots of thought.

Yes, there's definitely a market and I wish I could go on one of them. I haven't been, so I can't answer any other question about it.

Beverly

Joe: I tried to email you privately, but you seem to have that possibility removed.

DH and I had an 'interesting' experience with a cooking/wine tour in Italy organized by a travel agency in California. Would you please email me the name of the agency you are dealing with -- in case it's the same one -- in which case you need to be warned about.

Is there a big enough market? YES!

What would I like in a tour? Exactly as granjan said, all revolving around local, artisan specialties and traditional foods. I second the great restaurant/dive combo. That's critical.
When I travel, I like to research the Slow Food chapter in the area for suggestions. They're a wealth of knowledge for everything from artisan producers to restaurants to markets to food shows.

Can the tour coincide with any particular but maybe obscure food festivals? Like the Irma Okra Strut festival in September? Or maybe a particular season for certain items... crabs for she-crab soup? oysters? when are they best? How about a visit to an organic or heirloom rice grower to visit like Anson Mills.

In general, provide the group with unique experiences that would be difficult to do on their own, such as private tours to artisan producers that don't provide a regular public tour, but are large enough to be able to commit to tours.

Here is a link that might be useful: Anson Mills

Great idea, Joe. I am sure you can tell there is plenty of interest. Keep me posted, on your cookbook also.

Brenda