Destination Experience Research Articles

Exploring the Tourist Perceptions of Destination Components at the Sigiriya World Heritage Site: A Tripadvisor-Based Study

ABSTRACT This study explores tourists’ perceptions of the Sigiriya UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. The study has used TripAdvisor reviews and analysed using content analysis employing the 5’A’s framework for destinations (Attractions, Accessibility, Amenities, Activities, Accommodation). The results indicate that tourists perceive the attraction based on scenery, historical significance, features, cost, and crowd levels. Their perception highlighted the availability of accommodation, facilities and amenities. The activities including rock climbing, garden visits, photography, and artefact observation along with the accessibility considerations, such as fitness requirements, were also highlighted in their perceptions. The study revealed a key finding that ‘authentic experience’ is a crucial component of heritage tourism. Accordingly, this study proposes expanding 5’A’s framework incorporating ‘authentic experiences’ to understand tourists’ perceptions and their recommendation behaviour. Practical implications include preserving the site’s natural and historical value, improving accessibility and amenities, and offering authentic experiences in heritage destinations to enhance tourists’ perceptions

Archaeotourist: A Novel Tourist Type in Heritage Tourism

ABSTRACT Archaeological heritage is one of the oldest attractions that have played a significant role in the promotion of cultural/heritage tourism. Due to its particular demand, we can speak of a specific type of tourist focusing on archaeological areas: the concept of archaeotourist. This study aims to define the ‘archaeotourist’ as a specific type of tourist in cultural/heritage tourism, exploring the interplay between archaeological heritage, archaeological knowledge, expectations and experiences in archaeological destinations. An interview methodology was used to support our definitional approach, and the results will provide a new conceptual perspective and close a gap in the archaeotourism literature.

Exploring Gender Differences in Shaping Total Tourism Experience Quality among Eco-Tourists

This research explored the role of gender as a moderating effect on the relationship between factors affecting ecotourism experiential value. Previous studies have investigated tourist satisfaction; however, the role of gender towards the experiential value remains unclear. More importantly, the tourist’s actual behavior at a destination is a critical determinant factor of tourist loyalty compared to the perception. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to explore the role of gender in the relationship between factors influencing the Ecotourist Experiential Value on Actual Tourist Behaviour. More specifically, this study delved into the consequences of destination experience (i.e. attachment and advocate) and investigated the influence of Ecotourist Experiential Value on Actual Behaviour between genders. A survey was conducted among the Taman Negara patrons in Malaysia. The research model was tested and confirmed with 243 tourists. The data was analyzed using Smart Partial Least Squares which is the variance-based structural equation modelling. The results evoked from the survey indicate that aesthetics is very much important as the influential factors towards positive total experience quality among male compared to female. In contrast, Customer Return on Investment becomes the main concern of female tourists towards Total Experience Quality as compared to male tourists. In light of the major finding, this study accentuates the importance of understanding gender behavior to provide valuable insights for destination marketers to establish positioning plans for the tourism industry.

Experiencing therapeutic soundscapes in rural tourism destinations

Rural tourism is perceived as an escape from noisy urban settings to tranquil rural environments to improve tourist well-being. However, the dynamics of how tourists engage with and benefit from rural soundscapes, particularly at night when visual stimuli diminish and auditory experiences become more pronounced, remain underexplored. This article investigates the effects of rural soundscapes on tourist well-being throughout different periods of the day. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study reveals that tourists’ experiences of therapeutic rural soundscapes are relational and contextual. Therapeutic rural soundscapes are primarily experienced during nighttime, facilitated by the absence of visual distractions and man-made sounds and the presence of familiar natural and rural sounds, alongside a prevailing sense of safety in the silence and darkness. Nevertheless, the majority of tourists are one-day visitors and thus largely excluded from these therapeutic soundscape experiences, which are overshadowed by visual attractions and the intrusion of man-made sounds. The findings advance the theory of therapeutic sensescapes by revealing the interplay between the senses of vision and hearing in shaping tourists’ safety perceptions and well-being experiences in rural destinations. This study also offers practical implications for enhancing the appeal of rural destinations by improving tourists’ auditory experiences across diverse spatio-temporal contexts.

Pemanfaatan Website sebagai Platform Promosi Digital Untuk Meningkatkan Minat Pariwisata Desa Bumiwangi

Bumiwangi Village is one of the tourist villages located in Ciparay District, Bandung Regency, West Java. This tourist village offers a different tourist experience from other villages, namely enjoying the beauty of nature through hang gliding or paragliding sports from the top of Bukit Cula. However, Bumiwangi Village is still not widely recognized by the general public as a tourist destination. This happens because its tourism development still faces obstacles, namely the promotional strategy carried out is still traditional so that Bumiwangi village as a tourist village does not yet have an active promotion that shows the difference between Bumiwangi tourist village and other tourist villages. Even information about Bumiwangi village is still little found on digital platforms. In this study using qualitative research methods. The research approach taken is a qualitative approach with a descriptive type of research supported by observation and interviews with sources. This research aims to produce an in-depth understanding of the process of creating a website to promote and develop tourist villages. It is hoped that this research can provide important directions and insights for the development of Bumiwangi Tourism Village in terms of effective digital promotion and utilization of tourist interest information to improve the experience and attractiveness of tourist destinations.

The Relationships between Tourism Ethnocentrism, Destination Advocacy, Local Food Motivation, and Destination Food Image: The Case of Gaziantep

Ethnocentric attitudes and beliefs are defined as prejudice against those who do not belong to one’s own community and are based on the understanding of considering one’s own nation to be superior. When the concept is interpreted from a tourism perspective, the conformity of the experiences with the norms of society can be described as the ensemble of attitudes and behaviors aimed at glorifying future domestic tourism welfare. When the destination experiences are evaluated, food constitutes the largest experience area within the tourism market. Besides transferring recipes and flavor elements to individuals, food also conveys the culture, beliefs, and value judgments of a society to future generations. Based on this point, the relationships between tourism ethnocentrism, destination advocacy, local food motivation, and destination food image were investigated in this study. In the scope of the study, a survey was conducted on people who visited the Gaziantep region and had a dining experience. Structural equation modeling was utilized in line with the study model. According to the findings of the study, local food motivation has a positive and significant effect on destination food image and tourism ethnocentrism, and tourism ethnocentrism positively and significantly affects destination food image and destination advocacy. Moreover, destination food image has a positive and significant effect on destination advocacy.

Exploring the influence of expectancy, valence, and instrumentality on VR tourism intention: A framework based on TAM and expectancy theory

BackgroundVirtual Reality (VR) has demonstrated tremendous potential to transform the tourism industry, offering tourists immersive experiences in remote destinations with reduced costs. Drawing on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and expectancy theory, we investigated the intricate interplay between expectancy, valence, and instrumentality and tourists' VR tourism intention through perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. MethodsOur structural equation modeling results based on the survey of 282 VR tourists in China revealed that expectancy, valence, and instrumentality significantly impact perceived ease of use, which in turn affects VR tourism intention. ResultsPerceived ease of use and perceived usefulness each mediate the relationship between expectancy, valence, instrumentality, and VR tourism intention. ConclusionThese results contribute to the VR tourism literature and offer practical insights for destination operators and marketers aiming to enhance VR tourism experiences and promote technology adoption in the tourism industry.

The Influence of Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Payment Systems, and 24/7 Customer Support Services on Improving Tourist Experience at Tourism Destinations in Bali, Indonesia

This study investigates the influence of Internet of Things (IoT), digital payment systems, and 24/7 customer support services on improving travelers' experiences in tourism destinations in Bali, Indonesia. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 200 respondents through a structured Likert scale questionnaire, with analysis conducted using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS 3). The results show that all three factors positively and significantly contribute to enhancing tourists' experiences, with 24/7 customer support services having the strongest impact, followed by digital payment systems and IoT. The findings highlight the importance of continuous customer support, secure and convenient digital transactions, and seamless IoT-enabled services in creating a positive tourism experience. These insights provide practical implications for tourism operators and policymakers in Bali, underscoring the need for technological investments to meet modern travelers' expectations.

Unlocking the Power of Relationship Marketing Dimensions in Accelerating Destination Loyalty: Mediating Effects of Destination Experience

The existing literature on destination experience and loyalty often neglects relationship marketing’s importance, creating an understanding gap. This study aimed to explore how relationship quality influences destination experience and loyalty in cultural heritage tourism. Data from 400 respondents were gathered via convenience sampling. Using SmartPLS-4, the study assessed a model based on the relationship marketing (RM) approach, including destination attachment, trust, and commitment. Results showed all relational dimensions positively impacted destination experience and loyalty. Moreover, destination experience substantially mediated the link between RM dimensions and loyalty. The research sheds light on relationship marketing’s role in shaping destination experiences and fostering loyalty.

Electronic word-of-mouth intentions in personal and public networks: a domestic tourist perspective

This research investigated the determinants of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) sharing intentions in personal and public online networks among domestic tourists. Using a quantitative research design, this study surveyed domestic tourists visiting five major tourist destinations in India. Six hundred thirty valid responses were subjected to principal component analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling to examine the relationships among destination attributes, tourists’ psychological processes, and their intentions to engage in eWOM. The findings show that destination inhabitants’ friendliness and the natural beauty of the destination influence tourists’ overall destination experience. The overall destination experience and personal pleasure from vacations impact eWOM sharing with friends and family (personal networks) and with strangers (public networks). The results also indicate that the overall destination experience mediates the relationship between destination attributes (destination inhabitants’ friendliness and the natural beauty of the destination) and online sharing intent with friends and family. The overall destination experience also mediates the path between personal pleasure from vacations and eWOM sharing intent in personal networks. For tourism developers and destination managers, this study underscores the importance of enhancing the natural appeal of destinations and fostering positive interactions between tourists and locals. It also suggests creating authentic experiences at the destination so that tourists with high involvement generate eWOM about the destination.

Impact Factors of the Marketing Mix in Deciding Whether Thai Tourism Travel to Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province

Background and Aim: The tourism industry is a significant driver of economic growth, particularly in developing countries. Chiang Mai Province, especially Chiang Dao District, is a popular tourist destination in Thailand, known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical significance. This study aims to investigate the influence of marketing mix factors (product, price, place, and promotion) on the travel decisions of Thai tourists visiting Chiang Dao District. Materials and Methods: A quantitative research methodology was employed, involving a questionnaire survey of 385 Thai tourists visiting Chiang Dao District. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The findings reveal that all four marketing mix factors significantly influence Thai tourists' travel decisions. Product, encompassing the overall destination experience, was found to be the most influential factor. Price, place, and promotion also played significant roles in shaping tourists' choices. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of a comprehensive marketing mix strategy in attracting Thai tourists to Chiang Dao District. Tourism stakeholders should focus on developing unique product offerings, competitive pricing, enhancing the destination's ambiance, and implementing effective promotional campaigns to cater to the preferences of Thai tourists and ensure the sustainable growth of the tourism industry in the region

Enhancing cross-cultural communication for Chinese tourists in non-native English-speaking destinations: a study of sociolinguistic competence and politeness challenges

Abstract The current study explores the sociolinguistic challenges experienced by Chinese tourists. The purposive sampling approach was applied for data collection to comprehend the respondents’ communication hurdles. Online and offline questionnaires were also distributed to accommodate senior travellers. A total of 964 valid responses were gathered, which reflected the increasing trend of outbound tourism among Chinese nationals. The present study employed sociolinguistic competence as a mediating variable (specifically, its interplay with intercultural communication anxiety and politeness) within the Communicative Competence Model (CCM) framework. Several strategies that consider the nuanced aspects of language and culture are also proposed. The findings can potentially enhance service standards in the tourism sector by improving Chinese visitors’ intercultural communication experiences in various international destinations.

Climate change and tourism demand: Risks for extreme heat?

Extremely high temperatures have become a major hurdle to tourists' experiences in various destinations. In this study, we present the first nationwide estimation of the temperature-tourism response function using a fine-grained panel dataset constructed by matching tourism data and daily meteorological datasets for 280 cities from 2005 to 2019 in China. Results show a non-linear relationship between temperature and tourism employing the temperature bins method, which is not sensitive to response equations. In addition, we conduct a rich heterogeneity analysis in the article to further analyse the effects of other external conditions on the temperature-tourism relationship, including the destination's level of tourism economic development, population, infrastructure development, and tourism resource endowment. We also observed that increasing summer temperatures result in decreased tourism arrivals and revenue, while rising autumn temperatures lead to increased tourism arrivals and revenue. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between temperature dynamics and tourism patterns, offering insights into destination management and adaptation strategies.

Navigating negative events: the role of online destination brand experience in tourists' travel decisions

PurposeThis study addresses tourists' post-consumption perspectives on the impact of online destination experiences and animosity on travel decisions. Developing a framework based on the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory, we examine the previously unexplored relationship between post-negative events, online destination brand experience (ODBE), tourists' animosity and destination boycott intentions within the domestic tourism context.Design/methodology/approachData from 355 actively engaged domestic travelers in Pakistan who follow destination social media pages (i.e. Instagram and Facebook) was analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings reveal that post-negative events ODBE significantly stimulate tourists' animosity, which in turn drives destination boycott intentions. The ODBE indirectly affects boycott intentions through animosity, acting as a partial mediator. The analysis highlights the significance of the users' prior experience levels (novice vs experienced). Multigroup analysis shows that novice visitors are more sensitive to negative online experiences, resulting in stronger animosity than experienced visitors. Animosity significantly drives boycott intentions, particularly among experienced visitors.Originality/valueThis study’s novelty lies in its comprehensive examination of post-negative events, focusing on how the ODBE influences tourists' negative emotions and boycott intentions. These findings offer valuable insights for tourism researchers and destination marketers, underscoring the importance of optimizing post-service failure ODBE strategies for brand repair, online reputation management, digital marketing innovation and customized service recovery to mitigate the impact of negative events.

Millennial Muslim Tourists’ Motivations and Characteristics at Marawa Beach Club

This research aimed to identify the dominant characteristics and motivations of millennial Muslim tourists visiting Marawa Beach Club Padang West Sumatra. Utilizing a quantitative research method, data was collected through the distribution of questionnaires. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select participants from the tourist population. The data were analyzed using quantitative descriptive analysis, with responses evaluated on a Likert scale of 1-5. Results from the questionnaires, completed by 100 respondents, highlighted distinct characteristics and motivations of millennial Muslim tourists compared to other visitor segments. This study reveals the unique appeal of Marawa Beach Club for this demographic. The findings provide valuable insights for tourism businesses, local authorities, and destination marketers aiming to cater to the specific preferences of millennial Muslim travelers. Additionally, this research lays a foundation for understanding evolving travel trends and informs strategies to create a more inclusive and enriching destination experience.

Examining the potential of virtual and augmented reality in enhancing tourism experiences

Purpose This paper aims to explore the capabilities of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in enhancing the tourism experience and addressing physical travel constraints. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted among 412 tourists who had used VR and AR technologies for tourism purposes. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, multidimensional scaling, multiple regression analysis, structural equation modelling and mediation and moderation analysis. Findings VR and AR enhance tourism via immersive experiences. They overcome traditional travel barriers, but accessibility concerns, like cost, persist. The perceived potential of these technologies strongly predicts future adoption, emphasising the need to highlight their immersive benefits. Research limitations/implications This study offers ground-breaking insights into VR and AR in tourism. It acknowledges inherent limitations in accessibility, with VR and AR technologies not being universally adoptable due to costs and complexity. Theoretically, the research enriches academic discourse by highlighting the pivotal role of perceived potential in technology adoption. It also delineates the intricate relationship between VR/AR experience, satisfaction, destination image and revisit intention. Practical implications The findings emphasise crafting immersive VR and AR experiences for differentiation. By integrating these technologies into strategic marketing, organisations can enhance customer satisfaction and provide richer destination experiences. Social implications The research underscores VR and AR’s potential to foster inclusive tourism, benefitting those with limitations. Additionally, promoting cultural exchange and sustainability, these technologies can drive societal harmony and contribute to economic growth through enriched tourism experiences. Originality/value This study stands out in its distinctive exploration of VR and AR in the tourism domain. The innovation lies in its comprehensive examination of the technologies’ immersive capabilities and their accessibility challenges. The value is accentuated by its insights, which bridge the gap between technological potential and its practical application in tourism.

Emotional dynamics of virtual reality tourism experience: An application of day reconstruction and physiological methods

AbstractThis study investigates how the succession of real‐time emotions during a virtual reality tourism experience can shape the retrospective assessment of such experience. A total of 363 participants were exposed to a virtual reality tourism experience while their self‐report and skin conductance data were collected. Results reveal that average pleasure dominates peak and end moments in driving consumers' post‐viewing evaluation of virtual reality tourism experience. Meanwhile, the time to emotional arousal peak was found to be a significant predictor of consumers' visit intention in the virtual reality tourism setting. The findings advance our understanding of how individuals assess virtual reality destination experience on the basis of moment‐to‐moment affective data and extend the literature on emotional dynamics and virtual reality tourism.

Destination Restaurants' Practices and the Production of Locality: The Case of Michelin Restaurants in China.

Dining plays a pivotal role in the travel experience, with numerous studies identifying the significant impacts of restaurant attributes on tourists' destination experiences and their sense of place. The identified attributes include the origin of food produce, menu design, the physical and social servicescape, and restaurant reputation, all of which have the potential to enhance customers' sense of place. Therefore, based on theories of the production of locality, this study explores how destination restaurants "put place on the plate" and identifies how destination restaurants promote place. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the representatives of seventeen Michelin (one star, two stars, three stars, and Bib Gourmand)-awarded restaurants across Mainland China. The results reveal three primary strategies employed by destination restaurants in promoting place: forging partnerships with the local community to produce, present, and reproduce localities; leveraging local knowledge embedded in the local produce, recipes, cooking techniques, and local culture; and practicing translocality to introduce a regional cuisine to diverse and cosmopolitan consumers. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the way in which notions of locality and place are used by destination restaurants and the way in which this may promote not only restaurants but also regional culinary cultures and destination attractiveness.

Emerging hospitality practices in the sharing economy

Tourism and hospitality – as social practices and discourses – are increasingly digitally mediated. Many resources at destinations, such as accommodation and local knowledge, are becoming shareable via digital platforms. Technology mediates everyday encounters and offers new practices for hosting and guesting. This study explores hospitality practices developed on Airbnb in the geographical context of Finnish Lapland. The data for this study were collected from Airbnb hosts and guests. The hospitality practices emerging from the data are analysed using the social practice model. The practice theory-informed framework developed in the study illustrates how digital platforms increase the elasticity of hospitality practices. Hence, the digital hospitality practices emerging from the data show how the specialist knowledge and hospitality resources of the local people are being used for the benefit of the hosts, guests, the platform and destinations when constructing a hospitable and sustainable destination experience.

Shaping the Future of Destinations: New Clues to Smart Tourism Research from a Neuroscience Methods Approach

In the context of the technological era, the smart tourism construct serves as a bridge between human and the artificial worlds, combining social sciences and neurosciences. This study aims to explore smart tourism through neuroscientific methods in order to shape the future of tourism destinations, using a hybrid methodology combining bibliometric techniques and content analysis. The findings reveal the integration of diverse scientific domains, highlighting a transdisciplinary approach. They offer clear evidence that neuroscientific methods in smart tourism integrate multiple areas of scientific knowledge, surpassing disciplinary boundaries. “Destination” stands out alongside “emotion”, “visual attention” and eye tracking (ET). The collaboration network reveals the emergence of a new school, called neurotourism in the 21st century, formed mainly by actors and organizations from the Global North, evoking the need to include the Global South in the research scenario. The predominant methods include ET, heart rate (HR), and electroencephalography (EEG), suggesting triangulation with traditional methods for robust results. Virtual reality emerges as the primary immersive technology, promising insights when integrated with neurosciences. This study’s practical and theoretical contributions guide smart tourism strategies and enhance destination experiences through neuroscientific methods, addressing a gap in the scientific literature while advancing ontological and epistemological understanding.