Beyond taste: a systematic review of emotional, psychological and socio-cultural dimensions in gastronomic tourism experience (GTE)

Purpose This study addresses the critical theoretical gap concerning the field’s over-reliance on instrumental, descriptive models by systematically synthesising existing research on gastronomic tourism experiences (GTEs). The purpose of this study is to consolidate the emotional, psychological and socio-cultural dimensions that shape traveller engagement, thereby contributing to a more integrated theoretical understanding of GTE. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review using content analysis was conducted to examine peer-reviewed studies on GTEs. The methodological approach enabled the identification of thematic patterns, theoretical inconsistencies and emerging research trends across emotional, psychological and socio-cultural dimensions. Findings This review confirms that GTEs profoundly influence travellers’ emotional connection, psychological engagement and socio-cultural understanding, positioning food as a medium of identity, memory and belonging. The synthesis of these findings simultaneously exposes the central research gap: a persistent fragmentation in theoretical grounding and insufficient exploration of cross-cultural contexts and sustainability integration. Research limitations/implications This review is limited by its focus on articles published between 2000 and 2023, specific inclusion criteria, English Q1/Q2 journals and the exclusion of conceptual pieces, alongside the omission of bibliographic and co-authorship analyses. Practical implications The findings of this study support the development of authentic and sustainable gastronomic experiences. Destination Management Organisations, tourism businesses and policymakers should promote local culinary heritage, cultural storytelling, community participation, digital innovation and sustainable food practices to strengthen destination identity and regional development. Originality/value This study advances gastronomic tourism research by systematically analysed data, offering actionable insights for academics and practitioners. This study bridges theoretical gaps, enhances understanding of traveller engagement and provides practical strategies for leveraging cultural connections, ultimately enriching both scholarly discourse and industry practices.