The Dynamics of Participant Engagement in a Food Festival: The Soup Congress Case in Tomar

In an era where specialized events are becoming pivotal in tourism and local economies, this study offers a comprehensive analysis of an under-researched area: food events. The paper examines the demographics, satisfaction, and future intentions of visitors to the Soup Congress held in Tomar, Portugal. Utilizing a case-study approach, the research adopts a quantitative methodology, analyzing data from questionnaires administered to event participants and supported by existing tourism literature. Data were collected and subsequently analyzed using SPSS software, with statistical techniques employed to test hypotheses and examine relationships between variables. The study finds that the congress appeals to a diverse demographic and identifies notably high satisfaction rates and robust intent to return among attendees. These outcomes suggest effective management and successful engagement strategies deployed by the event organizers. While the study recognizes strengths, it highlights the need for better integration of the congress with local cultural and touristic activities, as many attendees did not participate. The research suggests re-evaluating the event’s infrastructure and pricing, considering the diverse employment statuses of attendees. These findings provide insights for the future planning of the Soup Congress and other food festivals, with wider implications for event management.