Are Culinary and Hospitality Service Attributes Key Predictors of Returning Visits for Culinary Tourism Locations?

While a growing number of tourists view culinary and hospitality service as a major aspect of the travel experience, little research has been performed to assess if these attributes are primary predictors of return visits. To assess these relationships, the study used an expectation-based approach to assess expectation fulfillment and its impact on visitor intentions for future visits. A survey was conducted in South Tyrol, Italy and 721 tourists participated. The results supported the notion that a region known for its outstanding culinary profile could create a bundle of primary hospitality service and culinary attributes with the potential to become key decision factors for return visits to the destination. Other core tourism activities were nonsignificant predictors of return visits. Older visitors and those traveling in smaller groups were also more likely to revisit the destination.