THE IMPORTANCE OF SATISFACTION IN RELATION TO GASTRONOMIC TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

This work investigates the interrelationships between the development of gastronomic tourism and the satisfaction of this tourist on having consumed this product. The factors analyzed in order to evaluate satisfaction with the visit are the quality of the product, the marketing, and the accessibility. The factors analyzed in order to evaluate the development level of gastronomic tourism are the interest of the tourist in the local gastronomy, the possibility of realizing new culinary experiences, and the economic level of the tourist. A total of 263 respondents completed a personal survey conducted at Emporda, a very important touristic region in northern Catalonia (Spain). The data were analyzed using a structural equation modeling technique, and the results reveal that the impacts of the six factors have significant effects on gastronomic tourism development and satisfaction of this type of tourist, and both-gastronomic tourism development and gastronomic tourist satisfaction-have a very strong interrelationship.