Investigation of the relationship between healthy nutrition awareness and local food preference of tourists visiting thermal hotels: A case of Afyonkarahisar

Today it is seen that there is an increase in the number of tourists travellinq for health purposes as well as the number of conscious tourists. The leading factors that affect the health of tourists are the food and drinks they consume. In particular the tourists taking advantage of thermal tourism with basic health motivation should pay special attention to their nutrition. Highlighted in the literature as delicious, organic and healthy along with being an attraction for local destinations, local foods are important for healthy eating. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between the healthy nutrition awareness and local food preference of the tourists visiting thermal hotels. Quantitative approach was adopted in the research. Data from 412 tourists visiting the five-star thermal hotels in Afyonkarahisar city center were collected by survey technique. In the study, it was found out that there is a significant and moderate relationship between the awareness of healthy nutrition and local food preferences of tourists. It was concluded that the most important factor determining the local food preferences of the tourists staying in thermal hotels was the sensory attractiveness and the least important factor was the search for excitement.