Currently, gastronomy is a fundamental element for tourists to discover the culture and traditions of a destination. The transcendence granted to a culinary experience in a specific place can become a fundamental motivation for the visit and determine the level of satisfaction reached. In this research, the relationship between tourism and gastronomy is analysed in the city of Popayán, Colombia, a city that has received recognition from UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy. To do this, we examine the influence of different dimensions of culinary motivation in the satisfaction with gastronomy that is experienced during the visit. In addition, we analyse the role of tourist attitude towards culinary experience in gastronomy satisfaction. The methodology used in this research is based on partial least squares structural equation modelling. The main results indicate that the importance of the culinary experience of the tourist in the choice of the destination mediates the effect that culinary motivations exercise on the satisfaction with the gastronomy.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the loyalty of the tourists who visit a city with an important heritage event: The Holy Week Processions in the city of Popayán (Colombia), recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Design/methodology/approach
This research focuses on determining the mediating effect of the perception of the processions and the evaluation of the elements of the destination during a visit to the city by using a sample of 615 tourists. The software tool used in this research is the Smart partial least squares.
Findings
Results show that the motivations of the visitor are not enough by themselves to guarantee loyalty regarding the destination, but other variables are needed such as the perception of the processions and the evaluation of the elements of the destination, through which the motivation acquires a true meaning to secure the tourist’s loyalty.
Practical implications
The principal practical implication of this research is offering to the stakeholders involved in the promotion and organisation of this event an opportunity to undertake and review actions for improvement.
Originality/value
This research seeks to enlighten the interaction between heritage, sustainability and heritage in Latin America.
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