Selected Aspects of Tourist Activity Among People Suffering from Celiac Disease

Abstract

The article aims to analyse the tourism activity of people suffering from celiac disease and to distinguish the behaviour patterns of such consumers while identifying barriers that make it difficult or even impossible to participate in some tourist services, and indicating practical solutions for hotels and catering facilities that could help build a competitive advantage. The research was carried out using the survey and netnography. The results showed that people with celiac disease or their legal guardians need to adapt their trips to special nutritional needs, associate travelling with an increased risk of disease symptom exacerbation and almost always experience discomfort related to special food needs during travelling. Based on the research results, as well as the analysed literature, it can be concluded that the basic factors facilitating travelling for people with celiac disease are the awareness and sensitivity of the staff and access to reliable information on the composition and method of preparing meals.