What Is the Most Influential Authenticity of Beliefs, Places, or Actions on the Pilgrimage Tourism Destination Attachment?

Abstract

Religious tourism attracts many pilgrims and tourists to travel to a sacred space, and the issue of its authenticity has become increasingly important. Convenience sampling was used to conduct a survey at Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, Taichung City, Taiwan, and 487 valid questionnaires were obtained. The linear structural equation model constructs the analysis results as follows: (1) The “authenticity of place” and “action authenticity” have a positive relationship on the “place attachment” and act as a mediator variable for the effects of “authenticity of belief” on “authenticity of action”. (2) Tourists who have visited twice or more have a higher impact on “authenticity of belief” than those who have visited once. (3) Among the factors of the “authenticity of belief”, “concept of life” and “concept of God” are the most important; among the factors of the “authenticity of the place”, “spiritual sustenance” is the most important; and among the factors of “authenticity of action”, “experiential action” and “consequential actions” are the most important. The “place identity” is the essential aspect of the “place attachment” factor. This study developed a scale of the authenticity of belief, place, and action. Research results can provide a reference for religious tourism development.