Determining the Local Products Preferred by the Visitors of Gaziantep in Food and Beverage Businesses

Abstract

In the globalizing world, tourists have started to show interest in the culinary culture of destinations by seeking difference. Gaziantep province, which is one of the first cities that come to mind when gastronomic tourism is mentioned, is geographically located on historical trade routes and also hosts many civilizations, so its cuisine is quite rich and its flavor range is wide. It carries the traces of many cultures in its local products. In this study, it is aimed to obtain information about the products that people who visit Gaziantep prefer in the restaurants they go to. As a data collection method, semi-structured interview technique, one of the qualitative research methods, was preferred and open-ended questions were included in the prepared form. The research was conducted by the researcher using face-to-face interview technique with the managers of 9 restaurants with Tourism Operation Certificate in Gaziantep between 9-15 July 2019. In the scope of the research; It has been concluded that meat dishes and desserts are mostly preferred among Gaziantep foods. In addition, lahmacun, black roast and eggplant kebab, lebeniye soup, Antep cheese pastry and cheese pastry with tarragon, muhammara and haydari are among the most demanded local foods.