Wine consumption and wine tourism: Spatial behavior of Israeli wine tourists

The development of worldwide wine tourism has been accompanied by ample academic research on wine-related tourism and tourists. Many socio-demographic similarities were found between wine tourists and wine enthusiasts. Thus, it was found that visitors to wineries consume wine regularly, have a moderate-to-high level of knowledge about wine, and pay visits to wineries and wine-producing regions several times a year. Their involvement with wine is evident from both their daily consumption of wine and their behavior as tourists. Research conducted among wine tourists also reveals common lifestyle characteristics and values. Following the recent revival and development of the Israeli wine industry, and subsequent wine tourism, the aim of this study was to provide an initial characterization of the Israeli wine tourist, by looking at his related consumer behavior and spatial living patterns.