Consumption value in food tourism: the effects on purchase involvement and post-travel behaviours

Abstract

This study applied local food consumption values to food tourism (culinary tourism) activities. Prior research revealed that impacts of consumption values in food tourism often varied based on the destination. This study adapts the tourist’s local food consumption value (TLFCV) scale to food travel in general, using a survey of American leisure travellers (N = 489). Interaction value, emotional value, and prestige value impacted purchase involvement of dining decisions while travelling. Travellers believe that eating local food while travelling builds personal bonds (interaction value), provides pleasure and happiness (emotional value), and increases social status or social capital (prestige value). Emotional value played the strongest role in travellers’ purchase involvement, and purchase involvement led to post-travel activities: satisfaction, intention to return and to recommend a destination. Between traveller types, prestige value was less important for culinary travellers than other leisure travellers. Destinations are recommended to market not just local food products or experiences but also the consumption values or benefits that tourists seek.