Gastronomic Travel Experience Affecting on Sharing-Experience: A Mediated-moderation Study

Abstract

In the tourism context, the tourist experience should be recognized as the key to successful for tourism supply. This study aims to investigate the effect of gastronomic travel experience on sharing experience, as well as place attachment as a mediator and length of stay as a moderator. The study used mixed method design. The quantitative method was collected with questionnaire from 717 international tourists who visited Phuket City of Gastronomy. The qualitative method was collected with interview from 15 key stakeholders in Phuket. The results showed that length of stay moderated the effect between gastronomic travel experience and place attachment, while place attachment mediated the effect of gastronomic travel experience on sharing experience. Moreover, the relationship of gastronomic travel experience on sharing experience, as well as place attachment as a mediator and length of stay as a moderator. In addition, the qualitative result was supported with the quantitative result in the same direction. This study could be applied for future policy development.