Eating with EatWith: analysing tourism-sharing economy consumers

Abstract

In recent years, a growing body of research has analysed tourism-sharing economy users. While several studies have revealed the specific motivations of tourists for participating in such activities, there is an apparent lacuna with regard to understanding the generic motivations of such consumers. In response to this literature gap, the current study explores the motivations of these users, aiming to shed light on their values, lifestyles and consumption preferences. The motivations of sharing economy users were examined using a quantitative survey involving 738 consumers of EatWith – a global sharing economy marketplace that offers a communal dining experience. The study's findings indicate that EatWith users have the generic primary motivation of achievement. The findings present several contributions to scholars and practitioners, and propose that sharing economy users are affected both by the specific motivations of social considerations, environmental considerations and economic considerations, and by their primary motivations of ideals, achievement and self-expression.

Keywords:

• tourism-sharing economy
• sharing economy motivations
• tourism consumer analysis
• food-sharing
• EatWith

Acknowledgement

The authors of this manuscript certify that they have no affiliation or involvement in an organization or entity with a financial or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript. This includes, but is not limited to, grants or research funding, employment, affiliations, patents (in preparation, filed, or granted), inventions, speakers’ bureaus, honoraria, consultancies, royalties, stock options/ownership, or expert testimony.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.