Culinary Tourism in Poland: Gender Differences in Preferences, Motivations and Barriers to Participation

The aim: The study aims to identify gender differences in preferences, motivations, and barriers related to participation in culinary tourism in Poland. Methods: A diagnostic survey was conducted among 1600 adults, and the collected data were analyzed using discriminant analysis to determine the extent to which gender differentiates attitudes toward culinary experiences. Results: The findings indicate that women present a broader and more experiential approach to culinary tourism, showing a stronger interest in festivals, workshops, and culinary trails, while men focus primarily on tastings. Motivational differences reveal that women value healthy and organic food, whereas men are driven more by entertainment and the desire to try new flavors. Women also report greater sensitivity to economic, time, and information barriers, while men more often indicate socio-psychological and organizational obstacles. Conclusions: Culinary tourism organizers should differentiate their offerings based on the gender of participants. For women, it is worth emphasizing a broader range of experience; for men, on the other hand, it is worth focusing on the attractiveness of the tastings themselves.