Understanding Memorable Tourism Experience: Long-Term Memory System and Revisit Intention

Abstract

Abstract This study seeks to understand the recall of memorable tourism experience (MTE) from long-term memory. It primarily seeks to comprehend the recollection of MTEs from tourists’ or alumni tourists’ long-term memory, and to closely link MTEs to human emotions and travel destinations. A mixed-method approach, including semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire survey, was adopted to collect data from alumni tourists with travel experiences during their studies in the United Kingdom. The findings of qualitative research highlighted three factors – Attraction and Atmospheric Impressiveness, Activity and Event Engagement and Relationship and Friendship Development – as major emotional stimuli. Meanwhile, empirical results from the survey suggested that Relationship and Friendship Development and Recollection and Vividness of Experience significantly influenced revisit intention to their MTE destinations.