Memorable Food Experience, Satisfaction, and Behavioural Intention: An Application of the S-O-R Paradigm
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18089/tms.2026SI02Keywords:
Memorable Food Experience, Satisfaction, Behavioural Intention, Food Involvement, S-O-R Framework, Gastronomic TourismAbstract
This study examines how the dimensions of memorable food experiences influence tourist satisfaction and behavioural intention, and assesses the moderating role of food involvement within the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S-O-R) framework. Data were collected from 428 domestic tourists visiting Gaziantep, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, using purposive and convenience sampling. Structural equation modelling was applied to test the proposed relationships. The results show that all eight dimensions of memorable food experience positively influence satisfaction, with the gastronomic novelty and curiosity dimension emerging as the strongest predictor. Satisfaction, in turn, strongly increases behavioural intention. Food involvement moderates two relationships: it strengthens the effect of learning about exotic food culture on satisfaction, but weakens the effect of the gastronomic novelty and curiosity dimension on satisfaction. The study extends the S-O-R framework by conceptualising food involvement as a dimension-specific boundary condition and provides practical insights for designing more memorable and satisfying gastronomic experiences.
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