USTOA Launches Global Kitchen Cultural Exploration Series

Image: USTOA launches its new Global Kitchen video series. (Photo Credit: USTOA)
Image: USTOA launches its new Global Kitchen video series. (Photo Credit: USTOA)
Noreen Kompanik
by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 9:00 PM ET, Wed July 23, 2025

The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) announced the launch of USTOA’s Global Kitchen video series that explores cultural destinations around the world through a culinary lens.

The series follows Michelin-star chefs, restaurateurs, and local tour guides to uncover the best street food and hidden culinary gems across the world. Global Kitchen leads travelers through markets and food stalls in four destinations to uncover authentic dishes that capture the essence of the region. These include Malta, Finland, Poland and Québec.

In addition to the video series, the campaign includes a digital cookbook featuring recipes from an expanded roster of destinations, including Malta, Finland, Poland, and Québec as well as Buenos Aires, Colombia, Germany, Laos, Lanzarote, Morocco, Thailand, Vietnam, and Zagreb.

"Food is one of the most powerful and memorable gateways to discovering a destination’s culture” said USTOA President and CEO Terry Dale in a statement. “USTOA’s Global Kitchen series is designed to showcase the culinary stories of our partners that highlight how cuisine can reflect the spirit and legacy of a place. These experiences, be it a dish passed down through generations or a bold new take on a local favorite, bring travelers closer to the heart of a destination.”

Viewers can join the virtual journey through a lineup of local favorites that includes watching how pastizzi, Malta’s flaky, savory ricotta-filled pastry, is made, how a family recipe for Karelian pie is prepared in Finland, see the classic marmalade-filled Pączki donut brought to life at a neighborhood bakery in Poland and stop in Québec at an old-school lunch counter revealing the story behind a grilled bologna sandwich steeped in tradition.

Dale also said, “Following the success of previous campaigns, like ‘USTOA’s Picture Yourself In...’ and ‘USTOA On Tour Live’, the Global Kitchen series continues to spotlight the importance of meaningful and immersive travel, which is inherent in the experiences offered by our tour operator members. After all, food carries generations of tradition and tells the story of a destination’s people, history, and values.”

He added, “We are thankful to all of our partners for helping us showcase the flavors and stories that make each destination so rich and memorable.”

USTOA partnered with Malta Tourism Authority, Visit Finland, the Polish Tourism Organization and Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec on behalf of Bonjour Québec to bring its Global Kitchen video series to life.

Other digital cookbook partners include Visit Buenos Aires, ProColombia, German National Tourist Office, Lanzarote Tourism, Victoria Xiengthong Palace, Moroccan National Tourism Office, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Victoria Can Tho Resort and Zagreb Tourist Board.  


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