Understanding motivational determinants of gastronomic tourism during peak seasons. Empirical evidence from Latacunga City in Central Ecuador

Rodas Alejandra (), Benavides Lucia (), Armijos Sara (), Andrade Andrea (), Guamán Guevara Adolfo Ricardo () and Guamán-Guevara Fabricio ()
Additional contact information
Rodas Alejandra: Technical University of Cotopaxi: Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, Latacunga, Cotopaxi, Ecuador
Benavides Lucia: Technical University of Cotopaxi: Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, Latacunga, Cotopaxi, Ecuador
Armijos Sara: Technical University of Cotopaxi: Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, Latacunga, Cotopaxi, Ecuador
Andrade Andrea: Technical University of Cotopaxi: Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, Latacunga, Cotopaxi, Ecuador
Guamán Guevara Adolfo Ricardo: Technical University of Cotopaxi: Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi, Latacunga, Cotopaxi, Ecuador
Guamán-Guevara Fabricio: University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK; Environmental and Academic Advisor, Ambato, Ecuador

Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development, 2024, vol. 28, issue 3, 101-111

Abstract: This empirical study examines the motivational determinants driving the consumption of traditional local food and beverages in Latacunga in Central Ecuador (South America). This geographical area embraces a rich cultural and historical heritage, making it a year-round destination for tourists looking to experience its unique local cuisine and festivals. An online survey was conducted between September 2021 and February 2022, during which 445 valid questionnaires were collected; these were quantitatively analysed using binary logistic regression analysis. Model-based findings revealed that age, taste, health and safety concerns, cultural experience, and expenditure were the most significant factors influencing the consumption of traditional local food and beverages. This information will help understand tourists’ behaviour concerning gastronomic tourism, and help develop optimal positioning, branding, and marketing strategies for sustainable development at top-ranking destinations, particularly cities in Central Ecuador and other international cities featuring similar tourism characteristics.

Keywords: Gastronomic tourism; Central Ecuador; heritage; traditional food; online survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://doi.org/10.2478/mgrsd-2023-0036 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:mgrsod:v:28:y:2024:i:3:p:101-111:n:1001

DOI: 10.2478/mgrsd-2023-0036

Access Statistics for this article

Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development is currently edited by Maciej Jędrusik

More articles in Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development from Sciendo
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Peter Golla ().