A Review of Memorable Experiences and Their Implications for Tourism Experiences in Management and Marketing Science

Abstract

The memory that a tourist experience will leave with consumers is a key variable that can assist researchers to understand better the key mechanisms of a memorable experience. Memorable experiences have powerful connections with satisfaction, repeat purchase, and positive recommendations. Beyond assessing the quality of the experience itself, studies investigating memorable experiences allow researchers to gain a broader vision of the key components that differentiate a memorable experience from one that is not. Various studies have been conducted on memorable tourism experiences, but a consensus has not yet been reached and the present paper aims to condense the cumulative knowledge acquired so far in management and marketing, and identify which areas should deserve further attention. The paper also draws attention to the evolution of experience memories: how they evolve over time and keep impacting consumption choices. This area has been less researched in the tourism literature, although it is also a strategic marketing dimension.