Egyptian food experience of international visitors: a multidimensional approach
International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management
ISSN: 0959-6119
Article publication date: 29 June 2020
Issue publication date: 4 August 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Using destination brand experience as a conceptual lens and data evidence from international visitors to Egypt, the purpose of this study is to examine the relative impact of the various dimensions of local food experience on tourist overall food satisfaction and destination revisit intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from a convenience sample of international visitors to Cairo, Egypt, (N = 302) was quantitatively analyzed using the structural equation modeling approach to test the relationships among constructs.
Findings
Empirical results reveal that three components of destination food experiences – sensory, affective and behavioral – effectively explain tourists’ food satisfaction and destination revisit intention, while intellectual food experience was reported to only influence destination revisit intention. Interestingly, the effect of food experience satisfaction on destination revisit intention was not significant.
Research limitations/implications
This study identifies local food experience aspects that require to be managed at a strategic level and provides guidelines on how these aspects can be effectively managed.
Originality/value
This study is the first empirical application of a multidimensional experience model to the context of tourists’ local food experience; it identifies the multifaceted characteristics of local food experience that deserve scholars’ and marketers’ attention.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research is financially supported by the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education. The authors appreciate Oncy Shaheen for his assistance in data collection for this study.
Citation
Mohamed, M.E.A., Hewedi, M.M., Lehto, X. and Maayouf, M. (2020), "Egyptian food experience of international visitors: a multidimensional approach", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 32 No. 8, pp. 2593-2611. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-02-2020-0136
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited