Savouring Peru through tourists’ profiles. An artificial neural networks perspective

This study aims to determine the variations occurring across different constructs concerning the importance of gastronomy — motivation to travel, willingness to visit specific destinations, gastronomic aspects and experiences, and emotions — in accordance with tourists’ sociodemographic profiles (age, gender, university education, and income). Based on 1,042 valid questionnaires, an artificial neural network (ANN) was developed using sociodemographic profile characteristics as input variables. This approach is useful for developing products and services tailored to tourists interested in gastronomy. The results indicate that age is the most influential variable in the model, with younger tourists attributing higher values to the constructs examined. These findings contribute to the body of research on gastronomic tourism in Peru and offer practical guidance for market segmentation and the management of tourist destinations.

age differences · destination choice · Destination management · food tourism · Gastronomy · Market segmentation · Peru · sociodemographic factors · tourist emotions · tourist motivation · Culinary Culture and Tourism · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Wine Industry and Tourism