Examining gastronomy festivals as the attractiveness factor for tourism destinations: The case of Turkey

Abstract

Abstract This study examined a sample of 287 gastronomy festivals organized in Turkey in 2021 in terms of tourism destination attractiveness, focusing on unprocessed agricultural food products and processed food and beverages. Based on the findings, the gastronomy festivals were grouped under 26 titles within two sub-themes, which revealed the festivals’ purpose, scope, social activities, gastronomic methods, techniques, and exemplary applications. Gastronomy festivals can provide important attraction elements for participants, such as regional and national development, social and cultural interaction, promotion of cities, collection, storage, production, and consumption of traditional food products.