The Effect of Gastronomic Motivations on Perceived Value, Experience, and Satisfaction in Türkiye: A Study on Domestic Tourists Visiting Gaziantep Province

In this research, it was investigated the effects of gastronomic motivations of domestic tourists visiting Gaziantep province on perceived gastronomic value, gastronomic experience, and gastronomic satisfaction. The questionnaires were used to collect data serving for the research objective. The questionnaires were conducted face to face in Gaziantep province, and the sample of study consisted of 443 people. According to the findings obtained from difference tests conducted based on socio-demographic variables, it was determined that the tendency to perceive gastronomy as a cultural experience differs as the level of education varies; the perceived value changes depending on visit frequency; and the perceived gastronomic value is shaped according to the factors preferred by domestic tourists. In line with the study’s purpose, six hypotheses were tested, and the analyses indicated that four hypotheses were supported. It was found that the gastronomic motivations of domestic tourists visiting Gaziantep have significant effects on gastronomic experience and gastronomic satisfaction; that gastronomic experience has a significant effect on perceived gastronomic value; and that perceived gastronomic value has a significant effect on gastronomic satisfaction. Based on these findings, the study emphasizes the need to structure Gaziantep’s rich culinary culture in a value-oriented manner to offer unique, memorable, and high-quality experiences that benefit from gastronomic tourism. Finally, recommendations for both practical applications and future academic research are presented.