Visual Perception of Gastronomic Elements and Identity Representation among International Tourists in Canggu, Bali
DOI:
https://doi.cibangsa.org/DOI-2026-617Keywords:
Affordance, Canggu, Gastronomy, Identity Representation, Visual PerceptionAbstract
Gastronomy is a central part of the tourist experience, and visual elements such as plating, lighting, and interior design increasingly shape how tourists notice, document, and share their meals. This study examines how international tourists in Canggu, Bali, perceive the visual elements of gastronomy in representing their self-identity. An interpretive qualitative design was used. Data came from semi-structured interviews with 11 international tourists and five supporting informants (three venue managers, a culinary lecturer, and a food vlogger), together with non-participant observation in four cafés and restaurants in August 2026. Reflexive thematic analysis was guided by the concepts of visual perception, affordance, and self-presentation. Five themes emerged. Visual perception is layered and rarely separate from taste and service. Perception often begins before the visit through social media. Elements are valued both aesthetically and functionally. Affordances are designed by businesses, enacted by tourists, and never deterministic. Identity representation is selective. Food and place can symbolize aspects of lifestyle such as health, exploration, and relaxation, but they may also be kept as private memory or not shared at all. The findings show tourists as active users of designed space and suggest that restraint in posting is a legitimate way of managing identity. Findings are limited to the informants and venues studied.References
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