Demystifying the authenticity experience of locally guided wine tours in the meal-sharing economy

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to demystify the authenticity dimensions of wine experience with the locally guided tour in the meal-sharing economy, drawing on travellers' online reviews at Withlocals for French locally guided wine tours. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative research approach was performed through the thematic analysis of 940 online reviews from Withlocals. The coding phase was completed based on a three-step coding process (i.e. open, axial and selective coding), as all reviews that were gathered were related to locally guided wine tours rather than only wine-sharing activities. Findings The findings of this study demonstrated four interrelated authenticity dimensions: the taste of terroir, local atmosphere, oenological knowledge and local insight. The results of this study also notably showed that all reviews were primarily positive; travellers expressed their satisfaction with wine tours at Withlocals and often mentioned their re-purchase intentions as well as advising wine tours in the meal-sharing economy. Practical implications Several worthy theoretical and practical implications were discussed for local tour guides to improve their tour quality more authentically. The results also demonstrate that locally guided wine tours in the meal-sharing economy were regarded as a multidimensional activity that provides a better discovery of a wine destination. Originality/value Despite the large volume of generic meal-sharing economy experience studies, the authenticity experience of the locally guided wine tours has been surprisingly omitted by scholars. Therefore, this study contributes to the sharing economy literature through wine experience by addressing the authenticity dimensions of the locally guided wine tours in the meal-sharing economy.