Travel lifestyle preferences and destination activity choices of Slow Food members and non-members

Abstract

This paper explores the relationships between travel lifestyle preferences and destination activity choices of Slow Food members and non-members. Food is an important component of Slow Food members' lifestyle, and members practice the Slow Food philosophy in their daily lives. It was therefore expected that lifestyle preferences would influence destination activity choices in different ways for Slow Food members and non-members. This proposition was tested by comparing 337 Slow Food members' and 207 non-members’ questionnaire responses. The results suggest that Slow Food members differed significantly from non-members in travel-related lifestyle preferences and destination activity choices. Slow Food members had lower interest in comfortable travel and higher interest in local culture compared with non-members. This study also found travel lifestyle preferences significantly influenced destination activity choices. Independently of the motivation to travel to a destination, this study offered evidence that travel lifestyle preferences influence participants' destination activity choices. An investigation of the impact of the diverse cultural backgrounds of Slow Food members is suggested as a future area of study.