The impact of eating behavior on destination choice: The case of vegetarianism

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 35 - 47

Pınar Yeşilçimen , H. Bahadır Akın

https://doi.org/10.31822/jomat.2025-10-1-35

Abstract

The relationship between tourism and food is gaining significance, and gastronomic experiences are increasingly influencing tourists' choice of destination. This study aims to establish the correlation between food preferences and destination selection, taking into account the vegetarianism dimension. In this study, data were collected from a sample of 198 vegetarian and 251 omnivorous individuals. The data underwent analysis using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modelling and multiple group analysis. The results show a significant positive correlation between eating behavior and destination choice. The impact of eating behavior on destination choice was found to be significant among both omnivore and vegetarian groups, with a more pronounced effect observed among vegetarian individuals. Additionally, differences were observed between vegan and other vegetarian groups. Upon scrutinizing demographic variables through comparison tests, it was found that gender and adherence to a vegetarian diet were significant factors influencing the relationship between eating behavior and destination choice. No notable differences were detected in age, marital status, educational status, and income level variables. Upon examination of the existing literature, it is evident that there is a dearth of studies that specifically address the potential relationship between a vegetarian diet and tourism. While there are studies that separately examine the factors affecting food preferences (such as product labels, artificial meat, restaurant menus and staff, and guides) and destination choices, there is a lack of research that examines the relationship as a whole.

Keywords

Eating Behavior, Destination Choice, Vegetarianism

Yeme davranışının destinasyon seçimi üzerindeki etkisi: Vejetaryenlik örneği

Abstract

Turizm ve yemek arasındaki ilişki önem kazanmakta ve gastronomik deneyimler turistlerin destinasyon seçimini giderek daha fazla etkilemektedir. Bu çalışma, vejetaryenlik boyutunu dikkate alarak yemek tercihleri ile destinasyon seçimi arasındaki ilişkiyi ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu çalışmada 198 vejetaryen ve 251 omnivor bireyden oluşan bir örneklemden veri toplanmıştır. Veriler keşfedici ve doğrulayıcı faktör analizi, yapısal eşitlik modellemesi ve çoklu grup analizi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Sonuçlar, yeme davranışı ile destinasyon seçimi arasında anlamlı bir pozitif korelasyon olduğunu göstermektedir. Yeme davranışının destinasyon seçimi üzerindeki etkisi hem omnivor hem de vejetaryen gruplar arasında anlamlı bulunmuş, vejetaryen bireyler arasında daha belirgin bir etki gözlenmiştir. Ayrıca vegan ve diğer vejetaryen gruplar arasında da farklılıklar gözlenmiştir. Demografik değişkenler karşılaştırma testleri ile incelendiğinde, cinsiyet ve vejetaryen diyete bağlılığın yeme davranışı ile destinasyon seçimi arasındaki ilişkiyi etkileyen önemli faktörler olduğu bulunmuştur. Yaş, medeni durum, eğitim durumu ve gelir düzeyi değişkenlerinde kayda değer bir farklılık tespit edilmemiştir. Mevcut literatür incelendiğinde, özellikle vejetaryen beslenme ile turizm arasındaki potansiyel ilişkiyi ele alan çalışmaların azlığı göze çarpmaktadır. Gıda tercihlerini (ürün etiketleri, yapay et, restoran menüleri ve personeli ve rehberler gibi) ve destinasyon seçimlerini etkileyen faktörleri ayrı ayrı inceleyen çalışmalar olsa da, ilişkiyi bir bütün olarak inceleyen araştırma eksikliği söz konusudur.

Keywords

Yeme davranışı, Destinasyon Seçimi, Vejetaryenlik

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