EXAMINING MOTIVES AND PERCEPTION OF DOMESTIC VISITORS TO GASTRONOMY MANIFESTATIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Abstract

Contemporary trends in the tourist market indicate that today’s tourists do not only expect the satisfaction of their needs for rest and recreation from travel but also a unique and unforgettable experience. In this sense, gastronomy is one of the elements of the tourist offer, which can provide tourists with a quality experience through the presentation and consumption of authentic local cuisine. Tourist destinations most often promote their gastronomic offer through the organization of events, which, in addition to presenting local cuisine, include various entertainment for visitors. The subject of research in this paper is the motivation and perception of domestic visitors to gastronomic events in the Republic of Serbia, on whose territory a large number of food and beverage festivals are organized every year. The primary goal of the research relates to the examination of key factors that influence the decision to visit gastronomic events in Serbia, as well as the importance of certain elements of the event. The results of the research indicated that local gastronomic specialties, the diversity of the gastronomic offer, the venue, and the atmosphere are the main factors that influence the decision of domestic visitors to attend gastronomic events in the Republic of Serbia. When it comes to the importance of certain elements of gastronomic events, the views of the visitors indicate that the most important is the quality of the engaged staff, the quality of the food, the variety and organization of the event program, and the taste and variety of the food. Based on the results of the research, the limitations of the research as well as the guidelines for future research on this topic are defined.