The effect of local cuisine on tourist motivation: A research in Izmir

Local cuisine is a general name for dishes, cooking methods and serving traditions specific to a particular region. Nowadays, local cuisines have become one of the high motivation sources affecting the destination preferences of tourists. Local dishes have become the main determinants of gastronomy tourism for those looking for original and new experiences. A tourist may want to visit a region to have a new cultural experience, or he may make a trip just to taste the different flavors of that region because it contains local dishes. In this study, a survey was conducted in Izmir to measure the motivation of domestic tourists coming to touristic destinations in Izmir to consume local cuisine. It is aimed to determine the effect of local cuisine on the motivation of tourists in the holiday destination they come to. The research was carried out by conducting a survey with domestic tourists who visited Izmir in the spring-summer period of 2023. The data used in the study was obtained by survey method and evaluated with statistical analysis. As a result of the research, it was determined that there was a significant and positive relationship between local cuisine and tourist motivations. Key Words: Local Cuisine, Dishes of Local Cuisine, Tourist Motivation, Gastronomy.