THE IMPACT OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON TOURISM EXPERIENCE: THE ROLE OF SENSE OF PLACE, MEMORABILITY, AND AUTHENTICITY

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the memorable tourism experiences, destination satisfaction and behavioural intentions that ecotourists have gained from their visits within the scope of ecotourism. The study was designed in accordance with the quantitative research design. The data used in the study were collected by applying a survey technique on eco-tourists visiting the Kümbet Plateau, Mavi Göl, Göksu Travertines and Kuzalan Waterfall destinations in Giresun/Türkiye, in line with the aim of the study. In this context, the population of the research consists of eco-tourists visiting these destinations, while the sample group consists of 482 participants out of 500 reached between November, 2022 and February, 2023. In the analysis of the collected data, reliability, t-test, variance (ANOVA), correlation and regression analyses were used. As a result of the correlation analysis performed to determine the direction and severity of the relationship between the variables, it was determined that there was a positive and moderate relationship between the general memorable tourism experiences of ecotourists and their general behavioural intentions. It has been observed that there was a positive and high-level relationship between general memorable tourism experiences and general destination satisfaction. Another result of the correlation analysis is that there was a positive and moderate relationship between ecotourists' destination satisfaction and their general behavioural intentions. According to the results of the regression analysis, it was concluded that the memorable tourism experiences and destination satisfactions of the participants positively affected their behavioural intentions. In addition, in line with the findings obtained from the analysis of the study, suggestions were presented for the interested parties.

ABSTRACTThis study evaluates the impact of Memorable Tourism Experiences (MTEs) on destination satisfaction, revisit intentions, and tourists’ positive word-of-mouth in the Iranian eco-tourism context. The sample consists of 389 Iranian tourists who travelled to two eco-tourism destinations: Deylaman and Rig-e-Jen. We analysed our data using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS–SEM). Nearly all MTE dimensions influenced destination satisfaction. Destination satisfaction mediated the relationship between MTEs, positive word-of-mouth, and revisit intentions. However, we could not find support for local culture in both mediation and direct impact. Our research is the first to apply MTE to eco-tourism in Iran.

Hot-air ballooning is considered an activity conducted in rural areas that involves adventure and participants' interactions with the natural environment. A hot-air balloon ride is regarded as a memorable tourism experience. Memorable tourism experiences are argued to be the best predictors of future behaviours. If tourists have a positive perception of the destination country and the destination itself, they are more likely to feel that they will have a memorable tourism experience, which in turn leads to higher revisit and recommendation intentions. Empirical research investigating the antecedents and consequences of memorable tourism experiences remains insufficient. This study, leveraging the Theory of Planned Behaviour and focusing on hot-air ballooning, aims to fill this gap by proposing and testing a model that explores the relationships between country image, destination image, memorable tourism experience, revisit intention, and recommendation intention. The relationships were examined using PLS-SEM. Data were collected from foreign tourists participating in hot-air balloon tours in Cappadocia, Türkiye, one of the leading destinations for hot-air ballooning in the world (N=764). According to the regression analysis results, country image has a strong positive effect on destination image (β = 0.86, t = 71.976, p < 0.01). Additionally, the country image positively influences memorable tourism experience (β = 0.34, t = 7.018, p < 0.01). Destination image also has a positive impact on memorable tourism experience (β = 0.60, t = 12.951, p < 0.01). Furthermore, destination image mediates the effect of country image on memorable tourism experience (β = 0.52, t = 12.684, p < 0.01). Finally, a memorable tourism experience has a strong positive effect on future behavioural intentions (β = 0.89, t = 66.672, p < 0.01). It is emphasized that in destinations recognized for hot-air ballooning, such as Cappadocia, creating a positive country and destination image can enhance the likelihood of tourists revisiting and recommending the destination to others. In this context, when developing marketing strategies, the impact of the country’s image on destination image should be considered, and the focus should be on providing tourists with memorable experiences. Since convenience sampling method was used in the data collection process in this study, it is an exploratory study, and the generalizability of the results is limited.

Memorable Tourism Experience is one of the sources that are an aspect of excellence for a tourist destination or tourist attraction because a memorable experience will have a long- term impact. Good storytelling behavior and getting satisfaction that is in accordance with expectations will have an impact on tourist behavior to do branding and the intention to revisit. This study was conducted to see how much influence an impressive tourism experience has on storytelling behavior and revisit intention in Jatiluwih Tourism Village. The phenomenon that drives this study is the large number of storytelling behaviors of tourists who upload and convey information about their experiences through social media. The gap in previous studies is used as a novelty in this study to test how much influence memorable tourism experience has on revisit intention through storytelling behavior in Jatiluwih Tourism Village. The sampling technique used purposive sampling with a questionnaire distribution of 210 respondents consisting of domestic and foreign tourists. The type of research uses a quantitative approach using a Likert scale and data analysis using SmartPLS. The results of this study indicate that there is a significant direct influence between the memorable tourism experience variable on revisit intention, there is a significant direct influence between memorable tourism experience on storytelling behavior, there is a significant direct influence on storytelling behavior on revisit intention and storytelling behavior has a significant direct influence. In fully mediating an impressive tourism experience on the intention to revisit in Jatiluwih Tourism Village.

Memorable tourism experience at smart tourism destinations: Do travelers' residential tourism clusters matter?

PurposeSelfie tourism is a fast-growing phenomenon. Given the convenience of photo-snapping and photo-sharing on social media, selfie tourism is seen as an emerging trend among travelers. This phenomenon gave consequence toward travelers’ behavior, especially on how it can affect their memorable tourism experience and place attachment. This paper aims to examine the relationship between selfie tourism, memorable tourism experience, hedonic well-being and travelers’ place attachment.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered survey method is used. This research was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, consequently, the data were collected via Google Form (online). The respondents are tourists who have visited various tourism destinations in West Sumatera, Indonesia. To test the hypotheses of this study, questionnaires are distributed to 450 respondents. The proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results of this study shows that selfie tourism has a positive and significant relationship toward both memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being. In addition, memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being also have a significant relationship with place attachment.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of this study lies in the limited reference to the relationship between selfie tourism and memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being, because this is the first study to examine the relationship of these variables. This study also has not tested the direct relationship between selfie tourism and place attachment and has not considered eudaemonic well-being as an antecedent of place attachment. Further research will discuss the direct effect of selfie tourism and eudaemonic experience on place attachment, as well as the moderating effect of memorable tourism and hedonic well-being.Practical implicationsThis study shows the benefits obtained by tourism managers in preparing selfie facilities, as well as the ability to create meaningful experiences. It provides tourism practitioners with an understanding that tourist place attachment can be improved by both memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being. Furthermore, both memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being can be affected by selfie tourism. This understanding can enhance the tourism providers’ strategy to improve services that fit the characteristics of today’s tourists. Therefore, selfie tourism, memorable tourism experience and hedonic well-being can support tourism sustainability, especially in creating place attachments.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies that investigated the relationship between selfie tourism, memorable tourism experience and place attachment. From a market-specific context, this is also the first study that investigated the antecedents of place attachment on West Sumatera’s tourism.

A memorable tourism experience corresponds to the memories retained in the tourist’s memory based on the individual experiences perceived during all the phases of a trip to a particular destination. Theme parks are tourist attractions designed with a thematic identity that allows visitors to escape from routine and are based on offering a different world with alternative experiences that can become unforgettable. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the influence of memorable tourism experiences from the Beto Carrero World theme park perspective in Penha-SC, Brazil. This research was conducted using data collected from 680 tourist visitors to the park, using a questionnaire comprising 27 variables that are part of the memorable tourism experience constructs: hedonism, novelty, renewal, meaning, involvement, knowledge, and social interaction. The data was analyzed based on sociodemographic characteristics and multivariate analysis using SPSS and SmartPLS software. The results made it possible to identify a new proposal for a conceptual model to evaluate the meaning of memorable experiences in theme parks and positively confirmed the influence between the memorable tourism experience and each firstorder construct, revealing that immersive hedonism and perceived meaning had the most significant impact on the memorable tourism experience in the theme park.

Purpose: This research aims to develop and test the theoretical model of the use of Means-end theory in the creator of a tourism-coordinated value chain that integrates the concept of memorable tourist experience, perceived value, affective commitment, storytelling behavior and destination loyalty. This study used Means-end theory approach by reviewing perceived value in understanding memorable tourist experience and post-experience behavior (perceived value, tourist satisfaction, affective commitment, storytelling behavior and destination loyalty). In particular, this research examined the influence of variable memorable tourist experience, perceived value, tourist satisfaction, affective commitment, and storytelling behavior on destination loyalty.Design/Methodology/Approach: The population of this research was all tourists who had visited the tourist attraction of Borobudur temple, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. The number of samples used was 437 people who were selected with certain considerations, namely tourists who had visited Borobudur Temple at least once. Data collection was carried out in August-October 2020 using google form. This research used SEM analysis tool which was operated by the AMOS application.Finding: The results showed memorable tourist experience that had significant effect on Perceived Value, Storytelling Behavior, Affective Commitment, and Destination Loyalty. Simultaneously, Perceived Value had a significant influence on Storytelling Behavior, Affective Commitment, and Destination Loyalty. Secondly, Storytelling Behavior also had significant effect on Destination Loyalty.Research Limitation/Implications: This research had limitations in sample selection. The sample of this research was tourists who had visited Borobudur temple because the variable used in this research was memorable tourist experience. Ideally, respondents were travelers whose visit time was close to the time of data collection. However, at the time of data collection, the management of Borobudur temple closed tourist access due to the Covid 19 pandemic; thus, the samples used were tourists who had visited Borobudur Temple before the Covid 19 pandemic. Further research is recommended whenever using variable of memorable tourist experience. It is better to use sample of tourists who have visited the destination with a close distance between the visit to the destination and the time of data collection.Practical Implication: The benefits obtained by tourists were illustrated by the perceived value provided by the destination. Therefore, tourism destination managers and marketing staff must focus on the key variable forming perceived value, namely memorable tourism experience. Experience and memorable tourism experience were the main products of the destination. Destination managers and marketers should have a better understanding of tourist needs. They must analyze whether they had created a memorable tourism experience that could create value for tourists.Original Value: The research of the influence of memorable tourist experience, perceived value, tourist satisfaction, affective commitment, and storytelling behavior variable on destination loyalty was the novelty of this research. In addition, the use of the Means-end theory approach to analyze research results was also novelty in this research.

Several studies have confirmed that experience is the main goal of the tourism industry and as a significant impression for the tourist. However, there has been few studies investigating the memorable tourism experience (MTE) concept in culinary tourism, and more specifically in traditional culinary tourism, which is called the Memorable Culinary Tourism Experience (MCTE). This research aims to investigate the application of MCTE in traditional culinary tourism of Warung Kopi Klotok, and to discover the correlation between MCTE and the tourist revisit intention. Five aspects of MCTE were applied, namely local culture, decore, service quality, social interaction, and novelty. There were 267 respondents involved in this research coming from various areas in Indonesia. Two steps of data analysis were performed. We conducted a descriptive analysis to investigate level of agreement of tourist toward MTCE variables. In addition, we conducted a correlation analysis to investigate the extend of which MCTE variables are correlated with tourist revisit intention. This study shows that local culture has the highest level of agreement among the tourists, followed by social interaction, décor, service quality and novelty. Social interaction has the higest and positive correlation with tourist revisit intention, followed by décor. Interestingly, local culture has the second lowest and positive correlation with revisit intention after novelty variable.
 Keywords: culinary tourism, memorable culinary tourism experience, revisit intention, Warung Kopi Klotok Pakem, Yogyakarta

This paper aims to investigate, summarize, and synthesize existing reviews of evidence relevant to memorable tourism experiences (MTE) and wellness tourism phenomena. An existing review of evidence and the contributions of publications from numerous scientific domains, extracted using Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, extending from 2010 to 2022, on memorable tourism experiences and wellness tourism phenomena, were comprehensively examined, summarised, and synthesised through systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis, employing VOSviewer software. Findings revealed key phrases in scientific publications predominantly on MTE in determining its antecedents, behavioral intentions, attachment to destinations, modelling MTE, and experiences associated with different niche tourism forms; yet, wellness tourism was not outlined among the key phrases. Though recent scholars have meticulously explored MTE, focusing diverse niche tourism forms, being an emergent niche tourist form, wellness tourism shows no evidence in MTE studies, indicating literature and empirical gap. Numerous standard and distinctive dimensions to measure MTE in diverse niche tourism forms, particularly the forms identified as sub-sections of wellness tourism, were identified that would be useful to develop MTE scale on wellness in future. Thus, identifying specific constructs to develop a scale on memorable wellness tourism experiences is suggested while recommending a separate scale.

This study aims to analyze the influence of destination image on revisit intention through memorable tourism experience and tourist engagement of Trans Studio Bandung tourists. The population of this study is male and female tourists living in the city of Bandung with a convenience sampling method to collect samples. The respondents are tourists aged 17-64 years who have visited Trans Studio Bandung at least 1 time in the last 2 years. The number of samples used in this study was 120 respondents. Data was collected through google forms based on the Likert scale, and simple regression analysis, multiple, and sobel tests were carried out. The results of the study show that destination image has a positive effect on the memorable tourism experience. Destination image, and memorable tourism experience have a positive effect on tourist engagement. Revisit intention is influenced by destination image, memorable tourism experience, and tourist engagement. Memorable tourism experience is able to mediate the influence of destination image on tourist engagement and revisit intention. Tourist engagement mediates the influence of destination image and memorable tourism experience on revisit intention. This research is expected to be beneficial for further research, as well as provide important insights for the development of artificial tourism in increasing revisit intention.

The primary purpose of this research is to find out how memorable tourism experiences influence revisit intention and recommendation intention of tourists who have visited to enjoy historical tourism and taste Rajamangsa local cuisine in Kebondalem Kidul Cultural Tourism Village, with destination image and satisfaction as mediating factors. This research uses a quantitative and descriptive-analytical approach, using a 5-point Likert scale for measurement. Non-probability sampling, specifically judgment sampling, was used to collect primary data. The sample consisted of 245 tourist respondents who had visited to enjoy historical tourism and taste Rajamangsa local cuisine in Kebondalem Kidul Cultural Tourism Village. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS 3.2.9 was used as the analysis tool. The findings of this study indicate that memorable tourism experiences directly influence destination image, travel satisfaction, local food tasting, and revisit intention when visiting Kebondalem Kidul Cultural Tourism Village. In addition, destination image travel satisfaction and local food tasting partially mediate between memorable tourism experiences and revisit intention and fully mediate between memorable tourism experiences and recommendation intention of tourists in cultural tourism destinations. This research highlights the positive impact of memorable tourism experiences on revisit intentions, destination perceptions, and traveller satisfaction. The practical implications are significant for tourism management in increasing satisfaction and building a positive destination image. However, this study has limitations regarding location coverage and online data collection methods. Future research must consider geographic variation, data collection methods, and other factors influencing tourism experiences.

Gaming and non-gaming memorable tourism experiences: How do they influence young and mature tourists’ behavioural intentions?

The role of mobility apps in memorable tourism experiences of Korean tourists: Stress-coping theory perspective

In the past decade, the positive and memorable tourism experience (MTE) has merged as a critical concept in the hospitality and tourism field. Previous quantitative studies on MTE mainly focus on measurement development and the relationship between MTE and behavioral intention, and they lack the integration of MTE with other core marketing constructs such as satisfaction and affective commitment. Furthermore, storytelling is conceived as central to the tourist experience, but its relationship with MTE has not been empirically investigated. Within such a context, in this study we surveyed 400 tourists who recalled their most recent leisure travel, and empirically investigated the relationships among MTE, satisfaction, affective commitment, and storytelling behavior. The results show that MTE, compared to satisfaction, is a stronger predictor of affective commitment. Moreover, MTE is a more powerful antecedent of tourists' storytelling behavior than affective commitment. The study expanded the overall nomological network related to MTE, which is critical to advancing the experiential view of tourists' experience. It also generated insights for destination branding and marketing.