"Motivation, satisfaction, and loyalty to local gastronomy for tourism: A study in Montañita, Ecuador"

Abstract

"This study examines tourists' motivations for experiencing local gastronomy, their satisfaction, and destination loyalty, which is assessed through their intentions to revisit and recommend the destination. Focusing on Montañita, Ecuador, a key tourist hotspot, the research aims to explore the role of culinary experiences in shaping tourist behavior and their connection to the destination. The study offers insights into how traditional gastronomic offerings influence satisfaction and loyalty to this coastal destination. A quantitative approach was employed using a structured questionnaire based on existing literature on gastronomic motivations, satisfaction, and loyalty. A convenience sample of 357 valid questionnaires was collected. Statistical techniques, including exploratory factor analysis, were used to identify motivational constructs, while multiple regression analysis assessed their impact on satisfaction and loyalty. Factor analysis revealed five key dimensions of gastronomic motivations in Montañita: expectations, cultural experience, personal relationships, health concerns, and sensory appeal. These motivations significantly contribute to tourists' satisfaction, which in turn influences destination loyalty. The findings reinforce the connection between motivation, satisfaction, and loyalty in gastronomic tourism, highlighting the importance of emotional, social, and sensory factors, as well as food quality, in shaping tourists' experiences and their intention to revisit or recommend Montañita. The results will help local communities produce gastronomic products according to demand. also so that administrators of gastronomic destinations can develop sustainable development guides. © 2025"