Factors affecting tourist preferences in gastronomic destination selection and perceived performance of gastronomic destinations: Examples of Gaziantep, Adana, Hatay, Şanlıurfa and Mardin

With the recent development of the field of gastronomy, the concept of gastronomy tourism has come to the fore. In Turkey, there are extremely important and potential destinations in this regard. Although the development of gastronomic tourism brings with it academic studies, there has been a lack of perception of competitiveness on destinations. The study was conducted in order to determine the competitiveness and reputation of Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Mardin, Hatay and Adana, which are at the forefront of gastronomy in Turkey, in the eyes of people within the framework of this deficiency. Accordingly, it is intended to be a tool for decision-making and policy-making on behalf of business owners and local managers located in these destinations. In addition, it is aimed to evaluate the ideas and opinions of tourists visiting the destinations within the scope of the research about the gastronomy of the region and to determine a real competitiveness on behalf of the destinations. In this way, it was attempted to compare both data and determine the strengths and weaknesses of the destinations. The main reason that the study can be a tool on behalf of regional managers and business owners involved in the economic cycle is the comparison of these data. In the field of gastronomic tourism, the impressions and ideas that the regions have on tourists are in a very important position. At a time when tourists are pre-researching the destinations they plan to travel to, such information can positively or negatively affect their travel plans. Along with this study, it was aimed to reveal the differences between the way potential tourists perceive gastronomic destinations and the thoughts that tourists have experienced the gastronomy of these regions, and in this context, it was aimed that destinations will become more competitive by applying the necessary policies.