Exploring the components of meal-sharing experiences with local foods: a netnography approach

This study aims to explore and ascertain the components of meal-sharing experiences with local foods of international travellers. This study offers insights into the factors influencing local food tourists' evaluation of destination experiences of a sharing economy platform. A netnography appro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current issues in tourism 2022-03, Vol.25 (6), p.919-936
Main Authors: Atsız, Ozan, Cifci, Ibrahim, Rasoolimanesh, S. Mostafa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
authenticity
awe
Food
Local culture
local foods
Meal-sharing experience
Netnography
netnography method
servicescape
Sharing economy
Social factors
social interaction
Travellers
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Summary:This study aims to explore and ascertain the components of meal-sharing experiences with local foods of international travellers. This study offers insights into the factors influencing local food tourists' evaluation of destination experiences of a sharing economy platform. A netnography approach is applied to understand the meal-sharing experience and 957 online reviews are examined which were posted on Eatwith by visitors who participated in the meal-sharing economy platform in Rome (Italy) between 2013 and 2020. Findings reveal seven components of meal-sharing experiences with local foods: authenticity, social interaction, local hospitality, awe, local culture, novelty, and servicescape. Findings show that participants can interpret their meal-sharing experience in different ways. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first research that uses online reviews to explore and understand the meal-sharing experience with local foods. This study has unique theoretical contribution by exploring the components of meal-sharing experience with local foods, as well as practical implications for service providers in order to enhance their service and experience quality.
ISSN:1368-3500
1747-7603
DOI:10.1080/13683500.2021.1905619