Research Article

Relations Among Variety-Seeking, Attitudes Toward Culinary Innovation, Gastronomic Image, and Behavioral Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: November 27, 2025

Relations Among Variety-Seeking, Attitudes Toward Culinary Innovation, Gastronomic Image, and Behavioral Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use

Abstract

This study investigates the interactions between tourists’ variety-seeking tendencies, attitudes toward culinary innovations, perceptions of gastronomic image, and behavioral intentions regarding local food consumption and destination revisits. It also examines the moderating role of social media usage in the relationship between attitudes towards culinary innovation and gastronomic image. Data were collected from 1,028 foreign tourists visiting Alanya, Türkiye, between April and June 2023, and 786 valid responses analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The findings reveal that variety-seeking behavior positively influences both attitudes toward culinary innovation and gastronomic image, while attitudes toward culinary innovation significantly affects tourists’ perceptions of gastronomic image, which then significantly influences tourists’ intentions to consume local food and revisit. Furthermore, social media usage moderates the effect of attitudes towards culinary innovation on gastronomic image. The findings also provide practical insights for destination marketers and hospitality businesses by highlighting the role of gastronomic image in shaping tourist behavior and its potential contribution to destination incomes.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Akdeniz University, Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee, on 20.03.2023, Decision No: 137. All participants were informed about the research purpose and voluntarily participated. Confidentiality and ethical standards were ensured throughout the research process.

Thanks

The authors gratefully acknowledge the supervision and insightful contributions of Prof. Dr. Bahattin Özdemir, who guided the study with academic rigor and encouragement.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Tourism (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

November 27, 2025

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

June 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 22, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
Boz, N. (2025). Relations Among Variety-Seeking, Attitudes Toward Culinary Innovation, Gastronomic Image, and Behavioral Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1728736
AMA
1.Boz N. Relations Among Variety-Seeking, Attitudes Toward Culinary Innovation, Gastronomic Image, and Behavioral Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). 2025;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.30519/ahtr.1728736
Chicago
Boz, Nurgül. 2025. “Relations Among Variety-Seeking, Attitudes Toward Culinary Innovation, Gastronomic Image, and Behavioral Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use”. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1728736.
EndNote
Boz N (November 1, 2025) Relations Among Variety-Seeking, Attitudes Toward Culinary Innovation, Gastronomic Image, and Behavioral Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR) Advanced Online Publication
IEEE
[1]N. Boz, “Relations Among Variety-Seeking, Attitudes Toward Culinary Innovation, Gastronomic Image, and Behavioral Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use”, Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), no. Advanced Online Publication, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.30519/ahtr.1728736.
ISNAD
Boz, Nurgül. “Relations Among Variety-Seeking, Attitudes Toward Culinary Innovation, Gastronomic Image, and Behavioral Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use”. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). Advanced Online Publication (November 1, 2025). https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1728736.
JAMA
1.Boz N. Relations Among Variety-Seeking, Attitudes Toward Culinary Innovation, Gastronomic Image, and Behavioral Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). 2025. doi:10.30519/ahtr.1728736.
MLA
Boz, Nurgül. “Relations Among Variety-Seeking, Attitudes Toward Culinary Innovation, Gastronomic Image, and Behavioral Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use”. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), no. Advanced Online Publication, Nov. 2025, doi:10.30519/ahtr.1728736.
Vancouver
1.Nurgül Boz. Relations Among Variety-Seeking, Attitudes Toward Culinary Innovation, Gastronomic Image, and Behavioral Intentions: The Moderating Role of Social Media Use. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR). 2025 Nov. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.30519/ahtr.1728736


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