Does Local Cuisine Have an Impact on Tourism Destinations

Abstract

The interrelation of food and gastronomy provides memorable experiences for human beings irrespective of their global location. Food has a profound psychological impact on humans, serving as a powerful tool for productivity, survival, development, and societal growth. The portrayal of food images is vital in attracting tourists to any destination. Local food consumption and its related motivations are crucial for the development of any destination. The study of local foods and their related aspects requires in-depth analysis. For this research, the Kolkata region has been chosen, and the target population (n=325) comprises travellers/tourists visiting the Kolkata region, local food producers, and suppliers. Gap spotting and addressing the novelty of the problem are considered relevant methods for identifying gaps and addressing the current issues in the study. A hybrid research approach is adopted to understand the gastronomical attributes that attract visitors to the destination. Qualitative data were collected through face-to-face interviews, while quantitative data were collected through a self-administered structured questionnaire. Content and thematic tools were employed for qualitative data analysis, and descriptive statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, and percentages were used to summarize quantitative data. Factor analysis was employed as an inferential statistical tool. This study aims to identify and categorize the market for tourism planners in Kolkata. It helps to recognize the pull factors of the destination related to gastronomy. The identified pull variables have a strong relationship with tourist traffic at the destinations.

Keywords: Hybrid, Gastronomy Cuisine, Food and Beverage, Factor Analysis

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