Assessing the Level of Food and Beverage Patronage by Local and International Tourist in the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana

Food consumption is recognised as an assemblage of appropriate and changing social practice, where food no longer only assists as sustenance but also a way to relate to other people in social, cultural and political terms. The study assessed the level of food and beverage patronage by local and international tourist in the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Descriptive survey approach of qualitative research was used. Purposive sampling technique was used to select four restaurants which are highly patronised by both international and local tourists. The study population was made up of international tourists, and indigenous Ghanaians of all the four selected restaurants. One hundred and forty-four (144) respondents were selected by the simple random process. Questionnaires were developed and administered among the above mentioned respondents at the selected restaurants personally. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The data was analysed using descriptive methods of analysis. The responses were recorded in frequencies and percentages. The study revealed that majority (67.9 %) of the Ghanaian respondents patronized local foods as compared with continental foods in the various restaurants whilst (68 %) of the international tourists had high affection for local foods. The study recommended that Restaurant Managers and Chefs should design flexible menus that are of quality but affordable to offer Ghanaian tourists the opportunity to taste or consume indigenous dishes.