Can tourist engagement enhance tourist behavioural intentions? A combination of PLS-SEM and fsQCA approaches

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the effects of tourist engagement dimensions on revisit and Word of Mouth (WOM) intentions of heritage tourists. The data were collected from domestic tourists in the heritage city of Kashan, Iran. To analyse the collected data, this study applies Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) as a symmetric analysis technique, as well as fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) as an asymmetric analysis approach to strengthen the findings. The findings of PLS-SEM showed the significant effect of the absorption dimension on revisit intention, whereas these results demonstrated the significant effects of the dimensions of interaction, and identification on WOM intention. However, the results of fsQCA identified more heterogeneous combinations of dimensions of visitor engagement to predict revisit and WOM intentions. Overall, this study contributes to the extant literature on tourist engagement by constructing a composite picture of tourist engagement dimensions on the behavioural intentions of heritage tourists. The study’s theoretical contributions, its restrictions and practical implications for heritage site operators are further discussed.