While choosing the next hot holiday destinations, travel website booking.com has noticed a emerging trend among its readers, and that’s gastronomy.

Almost 79 per cent of the site users aged 18 – 34 have revealed that they often travel to destinations specifically for the local food and drink.

To assist with the search, analysts of the site looked at the destinations with the highest endorsements for food and noted that the Greek capital, ranked highly in fourth place.

Joining Athens in the list of top global foodie destinations was Hong Kong in first place, followed by Brazil’s Sao Paulo and Tokyo in Japan.

Also ranked were the top five Australian destinations endorsed for food, with Mudgee in NSW in top place, followed by Orange in NSW, Adelaide, Hobart and Daylesford in Victoria.

Booking.com’s chief marketing officer, Pepijn Rijvers, says that having access to reviews online written by real travellers has made it more accessible for prospective travellers to find out about new and exciting culinary destinations from people who have experienced it firsthand.

“Culinary travel is an ever-growing trend, with travellers planning trips centred on taste-inspired exploration and seeking to fully immerse themselves in the local culture, of which food plays a huge part,” Mr Rijvers said.

“Not only are people looking for luxury gastronomic experiences, but also sampling local and street food.”