Gastrotourists' profiles through their motivations, opinions, and perceptions: An artificial neural networks approach

Abstract

Currently, tourists consider their satisfaction by keeping in mind their gastronomic experience in the place, especially in destinations with historical and cultural symbolism. This research aims to elaborate an artificial neural network that estimates the changes in the sociodemographic characteristics of gastronomic tourists (gender, age, educational level and income) from questions about motivations, perceptions and opinions about gastronomic tourism. This model can build ‘composite sketches’ or estimations of the profiles based on their replies on the topic incorporated into the artificial neural network model, which can be easily customised by the researcher and is helpful in the development and adaptation of gastronomic tourism products and services. Knowing the relationships between the different opinions, motivations and perceptions that gastrotourists have and their sociodemographic profile is essential to better understand the phenomenon of gastronomic tourism and optimise the management of businesses dedicated to it, as well as public agents promoting local gastronomy.