A study of how LGBTQ tourists’ perceptions of residents’ feelings about them affect their revisit intentions: an emotional solidarity perspective

Abstract

This study examined how LGBTQ tourists’ perceptions of residents’ feelings about them affect their travel satisfaction and intention to revisit a destination. This study applied the theory of emotional solidarity to measure Chinese LGBTQ tourists’ perceptions of Vietnamese residents in their welcoming nature, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding of the LGBTQ community. A survey of 217 Chinese LGBTQ tourists in Vietnam was conducted and the results showed that sympathetic understanding was the major source of travel satisfaction. However, emotional closeness influenced LGBTQ tourists’ revisit intention more. In addition, extraversion positively moderated the effect of welcoming nature on travel satisfaction and revisit intention. Comparing the results of this study with previous studies showed that the feelings of emotional solidarity driving LGBTQ tourists and non-LGBTQ tourists to revisit a destination are different. LGBTQ tourists are looking for local people to move closer to them, not just welcome them. This study contributes to LGBTQ tourism research by assessing social factors in terms of emotional solidarity that influence LGBTQ tourists’ attitudes and behaviours. It widens the scope of the theory of emotional solidarity and enriches our knowledge of LGBTQ tourism in Asia.