The Potential of Food Tourism Development in Lianga, Surigao Del Sur

Abstract

The study aims to assess the potential of food tourism development in Lianga, Surigao del Sur by evaluating the role of local food in tourism, determining the local food image from visitors’ perspectives and ascertaining its relationship between their overall satisfactions. Also, it seeks to determine the relationship between food satisfaction and their overall behavioral intention of consuming local food. The study is conducted among the four leading food service establishments per records of the Municipal Tourism Office. Owners were interviewed using the survey questionnaire for tourism enterprise operators. The survey on industry marketers has presented the current role of local food in Lianga tourism industry. The general assessment revealed that the locality has a culinary experience to offer to its clienteles as revealed in the findings. Thus, it can be noted that the food industry in Lianga can essentially contribute to the influx of the tourists in the area not only of their environmental and social experience but also with their gastronomic indulgence which brings to them a unique experience as a whole. The relationship between satisfaction and their behavioral intention patterns were also considered, and it was found out that visitors have positive views on their dining experience, and this can be optimized for local product and service improvements to intensify the market value of Lianga as a potential tourist destination taking pride on its culinary services.