How Memorable Gastronomic Experiences Shape Tourists’ Destination Satisfaction and Behavioral Intentions

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of memorable gastronomic experiences (MGE) on tourists' destination satisfaction (DS) and behavioural intentions (BI), as well as the impacts of supportive interaction (SI) and self-expression (SE) resulting from sharing these experiences on social media. Using convenience sampling, 517 international tourists visiting Izmir were included in the sample and data were collected using questionnaires. The results showed that MGE significantly increases DS and is effective in forming positive BI, such as revisiting and recommending the destination and creating positive word-of-mouth. On the other hand, adverse experiences (AE) were found to decrease DS and indirectly affect BI. In addition, the results showed that SE and SI had a significant direct effect on DS and an indirect effect on BI. The study highlights the importance of MGE in enhancing tourists' satisfaction and future. It emphasizes the potential of social media as a platform for SE and SI that could enhance DS and BI.