Marketing

Neuroscience

Pleasure

Social psychology

Tourism

Archaeology

Economics

Business

Psychology

Geography

Hospitality

Consumer behaviour

Food consumption

Sociology

Salient

Consumption (sociology)

Agricultural economics

Social science

International Journal of Hospitality Management

This study attempts to identify the salient factors affecting tourist food consumption. By reviewing available studies in the hospitality and tourism literature and synthesising insights from food consumption and sociological research, five socio-cultural and psychological factors influencing tourist food consumption are identified: cultural/religious influences, socio-demographic factors, food-related personality traits, exposure effect/past experience, and motivational factors. The findings further suggest that the motivational factors can be categorised into five main dimensions: symbolic, obligatory, contrast, extension, and pleasure. Given the lack of research in examining tourist food consumption systematically, the multidisciplinary approach adopted in this study allows a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon which forms the basis for further research and conceptual elaboration.

Factors influencing tourist food consumption