Understanding domestic tourists’ local food purchases: A cultural heritage approach via self-image congruence and planned behavior theories

Hayriye Duman, Cevdet Avcıkurt, Blend Ibrahim, Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Faculty of Tourism, Batman University, Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Tourism, Balikesir University, Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, University-Business Relations Research and Application Center, Istanbul Ticaret University

Tourism and Hospitality Research

Published online on May 11, 2026

Abstract

Tourism and Hospitality Research, Ahead of Print.
This study asks why some domestic tourists move from interest in local food to buying it, while others stop short. Local cuisine is treated here as intangible cultural heritage rather than a routine travel purchase, which shifts the question toward ...