ABSTRACT
In the context of a Saharan destination in Algeria, this study investigates the impact of local cuisine on tourist destination loyalty through culinary authenticity, gastronomic experience, and traditional gastronomy. An integrative model of the indirect effects of gastronomic satisfaction on destination loyalty is proposed and tested. The moderating effect of novelty seeking on the association between gastronomic satisfaction and destination loyalty is also highlighted. An online survey of 305 Algerian tourists validated the model using PLS-SEM. Gastronomic satisfaction is found to be a mediator between culinary authenticity, gastronomic experience, traditional gastronomy, and destination loyalty. Novelty seeking has a negligible moderating effect. Finally, the research's theoretical and managerial implications are discussed, as well as its limitations and future research directions.
