DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TO GASTRONOMIC EVENTS: CASE STUDY OF ISTRIA, CROATIA

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyse the role of events in the tourism offer of Istria, with a particular accent on an analysis of the selected gastronomic events. By this paper, the intention is to determine whether there is a difference between domestic and foreign visitors to gastronomic events in all listed goals; therefore, the main research question reads: Is there a difference in the satisfaction and experiences of event visitors depending on whether they are domestic or foreign? Methodology - The research was conducted during the period of eight months in 2016, between April and November. Primary data was collected through a self-completed questionnaire, by surveying visitors in 22 different gastronomic events, in 22 different tourism destinations in Istria. During the course of the research, 1,227 respondents were surveyed, both domestic and foreign event visitors. The research methodology was based on a fundamental approach which includes the use of descriptive analyses. Findings - By analysing the experiences of gastronomic event visitors, it is determined that 80.1% of the respondents realised a memorable experience. Domestic visitors are the most satisfied with the diversity of the gastronomic offer, while they are the least satisfied with the prices. It is completely opposite with foreign guests; they are satisfied with the prices, but less satisfied with what is on offer. Contribution - Based on the research, five most frequent challenges are identified which event organisers come across and which relate to gastronomic, but also to other kinds of events.