Traditional gastronomy as factor in the experience of heritage culture: The experience of visiting the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum of Lambayeque (Perú)

Currently, gastronomy has become an important factor in the management of tourist destinations. This research focuses on gastronomic aspects. In this regard, it is crucial to understand the elements involved in gastronomy. The objective of this study is to analyze whether local gastronomy in the case of Lambayeque (Peru) has a positive effect on satisfaction with traditional restaurants, overall experience, and satisfaction with the visit to the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum. The research methodology used was PLS-SEM with a structural equation model to evaluate the 6 proposed hypotheses. The results show how gastronomy has positive effects on overall experience, traditional restaurants, and the visit to the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum. Furthermore, it impacts loyalty and destination recommendation. In a renowned gastronomic destination such as Peru, the study provides new fields of research in a specific region of the country.