Examination of destination and restaurant selection in international travel in terms of food safety perception

This thesis, it was aimed to examine the relationship between tourists' perception of food safety and their restaurant selection in international travels. In addition, the determining factors in tourists' perceptions of food safety, the factors that tourists pay attention to in selecting restaurants in international travel, the factors considered in selecting international destinations, and the destinations selected and/or avoided in international travels in terms of food safety were investigated. A quantitative research design was selected in the study and data were collected by the questionnaire method. The survey was conducted face-to-face and online with 332 participants living in Antalya and having international travel experience as tourists between December 2020 and March 2021. The construct validity and reliability of the measurement range of the data obtained from the survey were tested and it was determined that they showed normal distribution. Accordingly, when the survey results were examined based on the correlation analysis conducted to determine whether there was a significant relationship between the perception of food safety in international travels and restaurant selection, it was determined that there was a positive, significant, and low-relationship. As a result of the frequency analysis performed on the food safety perception scale, it was determined that the responses were generally shaped around the answer "I do not agree". It has been determined that the "Sensory Perception of Food" dimension was most effective in terms of food safety in choosing restaurants in international travels. In terms of food safety concerns, it was determined that while the participants mostly preferred "European Countries" in destination selection, the destination they avoided was "African Countries". Also, it has been determined that the "Health/Food Safety" factor was the most effective in international destination selections.