Profit of food tourists
Mitchell and Hall (2003) note that food tourists were well educated, attracted to new and innovative things, and sought knowledge and education. However, they only briefly mentioned food tourists who were "socially aware," noting that they were more likely to be motivated by wine and food tourism products. According to the same authors, food tourists seek different dining experiences from their residential counterparts and possess different consumption patterns while traveling than when they are at home. Additionally, they suggest a typology of food tourists behavior along a continuum from neophilia (love of the new) to neophobia (fear of the new) where Gastronome are the most adventurous with high interest and high involvement in food experiences while traveling, engaging in cooking schools, food educated, "high cuisine," farmers' markets, and local growers and suppliers. Alternatively, the Familiar Foods category represent travelers with low interest, involvement and risk in their away-from-home food experiences. A variety of other issues may influence consumer choice, including religion (Wan Hassan and Hall 2003) and environmental accounting in food choice (Chi et al. 2012). Future research question related to consumer choice include
At what planning stages do tourists make their decision about engaging in food tourism experiences? Which stages have the strongest influences on ethical consumer behavior?
How much do experiences while traveling affect a visitor's consumption patterns after the trip is completed?
While the connection between religion and travel has been explored in studies regarding pilgrimages, religious heritage sites and traveler conflicts, how do visitors who eat according to a religious doctrine approach food tourism experiences?