Family tourists’ emotional responses at world heritage sites (WHSs): the effects of existential authenticity and interpersonal interaction

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate family tourists’ emotional responses at world heritage sites (WHSs) by using cognitive appraisal theory (CAT). Design/methodology/approach The online survey was conducted targeting the family tourists who had travel experience at Pingyao Ancient City, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization world heritage destination in Northern China. Findings Data analysis with 347 family tourists to the site, via structural equation modeling analysis, revealed that existential authenticity (i.e. intrapersonal and interpersonal authenticity) and family interpersonal interaction help evoke emotional experience, which generates family cohesion and storytelling behavior as responses. Originality/value This study results contribute to an existing body of literature on the ability of CAT to illustrate how emotional experience forms in the context of family tourism at WHSs. The study also provides a clear understanding on how to elicit emotions among family tourists at heritage destinations.