Impact of Vlog Marketing on Consumer Travel Intent and Consumer Purchase Intent With the Moderating Role of Destination Image and Ease of Travel

Abstract

The following study first examined how consumers are influenced by social media advertising and what role vloggers play in influencer marketing. Secondly, the factors considered by consumers while making a final decision for purchasing and traveling are explored, affected by the destination image for the country of origin. The aim of the research was fulfilled by reviewing relevant literature and defining and exploring the relationship among variables: vlog marketing, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, E-WOMs, consumer travel intent, consumer purchase intent, destination image, and ease of travel. A self-administered survey questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale was utilized and shared online among social media users for collecting data via two resources: personal connections and relevant social media platforms. A total of 428 valid responses were collected. The PLS-SEM software was used to analyze and interpret the data. The measurement model, structural model, regression analysis, and t-tests were used for testing and concluding results for hypotheses. The results concluded that vlog marketing, with all its higher-order constructs, except Snapchat, has a significant positive effect on consumer travel intent and purchase intent. Moreover, destination image and ease of travel enhance the relationship of vlog marketing and consumer travel intention but not that of vlog marketing and consumer purchase intention. The study contributes to the literature on influencer and content marketing on social media networks by emphasizing the role of vloggers in shaping consumer behavior and placing a distinct image of a destination place, and how ease of travel affects the decision to travel and buy travel goods and services advertised on vlogs.