The host experience in the meal-sharing economy: the other side of the medallion


ÇİFÇİ İ., Sengel T.

ANATOLIA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY RESEARCH, vol.35, no.4, pp.736-750, 2024 (ESCI, Scopus)

Abstract

This current study attempts to ascertain hosts' meal-sharing experiences to suggest a broader comprehension of the meal-sharing experience in the informal economy. Drawing on a qualitative research method, 12 interviews with meal-sharing hosts were conducted in Istanbul, Turkiye. The data was analysed using the theme analysis method, foregrounded five main themes, i.e. fellowship, cross-cultural learning, money-making, patriotism, and gastronomic identity. This study is the first attempt to focus on the hosts' perception of the meal-sharing experience, thereby providing a missing piece to wholly complete the theoretical understanding of the meal-sharing experience through the lens of the actor - network theory (ANT) and the privacy - calculus theory (PCT). It also offers several practical implications for sharing economy platform operators to boost their hosts' experiences in their sharing activities.