Topic modelling of tourist and resident reviews in the restaurant industry

Abstract

The article examines the differences in the evaluation of restaurant experience by tourists and locals based on 217195 TripAdvisor reviews of St. Petersburg restaurants. Using the structural topic modelling (STM) method, six key factors of consumer experience were formed. Regression analysis indicated that perception of atmosphere, food quality and local features play a key role in shaping user ratings. Statistically significant differences were found between tourist and resident groups. The results emphasize the importance of adaptive restaurant management.