Influence of Guest Activities on Gastronomic Experiences in Selected Coffee Growing Farms of Central Kenya

Abstract

Gastronomy is the appreciation and joy of enjoying food and beverages that offers the opportunity to learn about other cultural practices. This research investigated the influence of guest activities on gastronomic experiences in selected coffee-growing farms in central Kenya. The three main guest activities were considered as independent variables; coffee tourism activities, coffee factory visits, coffee farm visits and coffee tasting while the dependent variable included; gastronomic experiences. Data was collected from tourists visiting coffee farms and factories using a questionnaire. Thereafter, categorical regression was performed to assess the influence of guest activities on gastronomic experiences based on tourists’ response data set. The results indicated that there was a strong positive relationship between all three items of the guest activities (coffee factory visits, coffee farm visits, coffee tasting) and gastronomic experiences in coffee-growing areas of the central Kenya region. It has earlier been pointed out that coffee tourism activities in central Kenya are not as robust as they should be. Therefore, for farms in central Kenya to enhance the gastronomic experience of coffee tourists, they have to consider making the available activities more vibrant and captivating which would encourage repeat visits to coffee farms by satisfied tourists