Street foods: contemporary preference of tourists and its role as a destination attraction in India

Abstract

Purpose The study aims to assess and find out the preference of street-foods amongst the foreign tourists visiting India. It will also discuss in detail the important factors that lead to the selection of street-foods outlining the relevance of food as a destination attraction. Design/methodology/approach The study applied the use of location intercept technique through one to one interview using a structured survey scale to take the responses from 586 outbound foreign tourists at the departure gates of International Airport at New Delhi. The street-food preference of foreign tourists was analysed using the analytical hierarchical process model and Chi-square statistics. Findings This study resulted in identification of 18 street-foods which were preferred mostly by the foreign tourist in India, with Tandoori Chicken tikka being the most favoured and Kathi Kebab being least preferred. This study also confirmed that amongst the all factors which were considered to have an influence on the street-food preference of foreign tourists only marital status was found to be insignificant. Practical implications This study suggested that street-food vending can be considered to be a strategic management instrument that can (re)create a destination image and sustain or rejuvenate tourist movements towards a gastronomically rich destination like India. It might help the shareholders in the street-food vending businesses across India to devise strategies to showcase India on a global gastronomic platform. Originality/value It is the first study which has tried to exploit the foreign tourists’ emotions through their street-food preference which can be used by the local street vendors to attract, reconnect and increase their repeat visits in India. It will also help sensitising the local street-food vendors including restaurants, catering joints and hotels to include the preferred delicacies in their operational menus for maximising the earnings from tourists.

The street food experiences of the local-guided tour in the meal-sharing economy: the case of Bangkok

“…Guiding impacts on overall tourist satisfaction (Huang et al , 2010). Local guides' attributes, perceived food authenticity, local culture and novelty components agree with previous studies' findings (Gupta et al , 2018, 2019; Jeaheng and Han, 2020; Seyitoğlu, 2020a, b; Sthapit, 2017). However, ‘perceived hygiene or cleanliness' components are not explored in prior studies because this was provided with the help of local guides, and participants trust them due to that they know these street foods.…”

“…Present studies (e.g. Gupta and Sajnani, 2019; Gupta et al , 2019) suggest that tourists are motivated to try the cultural tastes of a destination and are inspired to engage real-life ways of the locals to acquire the authentic tourist experience. Their cultural and culinary experiences are impacted by their level of questing for authenticity (Ji et al , 2016).…”

“…The findings revealed that travellers participating in street food tours offered in the meal-sharing economy seek different experiences in the destination. Whilst prior studies have investigated street foodies' experience dimensions, preferences and attitudes (Gupta and Duggal, 2020; Gupta et al , 2018, 2019) and which tour activities are offered in the sharing economy platforms (Melián-González et al , 2019), to the knowledge of the authors, this is the first research that has explored components of street food experiences of local-guided tours. Furthermore, when considering that the usage of meal-sharing experiences of travellers will increase in the future and participants will express their experiences in these sites (Gursoy, 2018), this is timely research to the relevant literature.…”

The impact of street food experience on behavioural intention

“…This study reveals the effect of street food experience on behavioural intention and shows its importance to destination management organisations or local governments. Gupta et al (2020a, b) suggested that street food vendors can be thought of as a strategic management tool that can (re)create a destination image and sustain or stimulate tourist movements towards the destination. Besides, they suggested that street food vendors in India could help develop strategies to present India on a global gastronomic platform (Gupta et al , 2020b, p. 136).…”

“…Gupta et al (2020a, b) suggested that street food vendors can be thought of as a strategic management tool that can (re)create a destination image and sustain or stimulate tourist movements towards the destination. Besides, they suggested that street food vendors in India could help develop strategies to present India on a global gastronomic platform (Gupta et al , 2020b, p. 136). In another study conducted in India, Gupta and colleagues investigated how the overall destination experience of foreign tourists to India is influenced by the existing variety of street food in India, and how these traits further affect tourist behaviour intentions (revisit intention and word of mouth).…”