Tourists’ characteristics, food tourism motivations, segmentation, and satisfaction: the case of Athens

• Charilaos Kalpidis ^[1] ; Fragkiskos Bersimis ^[2] ; Paris Tsartas ^[1]
  1. [1] Harokopio University

     Harokopio University

     Dimos Athens, Grecia

     
  2. [2] University of Piraeus

     University of Piraeus

     Grecia

     
• Localización: Revista Turismo & Desenvolvimento, ISSN 1645-9261, Nº. 46, 2024, págs. 327-348
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Athens is known globally as a tourism destination due to its culture and history. However, the city’s rich gastronomy and food products are only recently acknowledged as a vital resource for tourism development and scarcely researched. The present study aimed to identify tourists’ characteristics, food tourism motivations, and satisfaction concerning gastronomy. The objectives were to identify possible segments between tourists based on their attitude towards food, determine their specific motivations and level of satisfaction, and analyze their socio-demographic characteristics, travel decisions, and food-oriented activities. Fieldwork was conducted, and 640 valid questionnaires were completed. The findings revealed three distinct segments, the primary motivational factors, and the degree of satisfaction among the participating travelers. The practical implication of the study is a better understanding of the tourists in Athens and their engagement with food and gastronomy, which may assist entrepreneurs and DMO managers in raising the destination’s attractiveness.