The factors affecting usage of local gastronomic products in tourism

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting usage of local gastronomic products in tourism. In this context what affects usage of local gastronomic products had been tried to derive. The study was applied in Alanya where the sea, sand, sun tourism is seen intensely. For the purpose of the study, the study questions are below. - How can we identify Alanya's local cuisine? - To what extent is Alanya cuisine presented in restaurants in Alanya? - What are the factors affecting usage of local gastronomic products? The study questions are tried to answered by using qualitative research design. In this context to answer the first study question, the documents are scanned such as books, articles, proceedings, web sites are examined and the features which characterized Alanya local cuisine. Then restaurants' menu cards were content analysed to determine whether Alanya cuisine foods have been served to answer the second research question. Two focus group interviews had organized to answer the last research question. The first focus group interviews performed with local people (11 people), the second focus group interviews performed with restaurant managers (5 people). Interview form was prepared through focus group interview findings and interviews were performed with restaurant managers (26 people) in Alanya. Findings were classified into three main catagories after the interviews. These catagories were named as gastronomic identity, preventing factors and facilitating factors. Local foods, foods have local character, customs, environment and culture are located in gastronomic identity catagory. Qualification of local foods, qualification of employees, concerns about food costs, availability, seasonability, tourists' food consuming behaviors, local people's food consuming behaviors, equipment requirement were named as preventing factors. Global and touristic interests, costs, tourism strategy, tourists' food consuming behaviors and succesfull instances were named as facilitating factors. Consequently, the research contributed to literature by explaining how local cuisines take a form according to gastronomic idendity and the affecting factors presenting local dishes in restaurants. Keywords: Gastronomy, Tourism, Local Dish, Restaurants, Qualitative Research, Alanya