Understanding food experience in sharing-economy platforms: Insights from Eatwith and Withlocals

This study aims to identify and determine the dimensions of food experience using user-generated content on two sharing-economy websites as well as to offer insights into factors affecting food tourists’ evaluation of travel experiences at a culinary destination, Istanbul. For this purpose, conventional content analysis is conducted on 459 food-experience reviews on sharing-economy websites, namely, EatWith and WithLocals. Results reveal 26 items and four themes, that is, knowledge, authenticity, local hospitality, and social interaction. Theoretical and managerial implications as well as limitations are discussed, and suggestions for further research are provided