Escapist Experiences Research Articles

The Effects of Tourists’ Experiences of Sports Events on Their Social Media Content Generation: Mediating Roles of Flow and Attachment

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore which tourists’ experiences of sports events affect their social media content generation through flow and attachment based on the experience economy model. During the 2022 and 2024 World Table Tennis (WTT) competitions in Macau, 651 valid questionnaires were collected, and Smart PLS 4 was used for data analysis in this study. The results indicate that tourists’ escapist experience and aesthetic experience have a significant effect on both flow and attachment and that flow and attachment significantly influence content generation, thereby confirming their mediating roles. In addition, a multiple group analysis (MGA) was conducted to examine the differences between the event experiences and behavioral intentions of tourists during the COVID-19 period and those in the post-COVID-19 period. This study fills a gap in sports tourism research by investigating the factors that affect visitors’ social media content generation and by providing a theoretical reference for future research on this topic. The findings also offer relevant reference information for event organizers and other stakeholders, who aim to improve tourists’ overall experiences of their events.

A comparative study on perceived experiential value and behavioral intentions in robot-enhanced restaurants: examining cultural and gender differences

Purpose This study aimed to (a) investigate the effects of robot service efficiency, enthusiastic curiosity, escapist experience and sense of security on perceived experience value (PEV) and identify which dimension is the strongest determinant of PEV; (b) examine PEV’s effect on behavioral intention to dine in a robot-enhanced restaurant (RER); (c) examine cultural differences (Kazakh vs. United States consumers) on these dynamics; and (d) examine gender’s moderating effect between PEV and behavioral intention to dine in an RER. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected through a self-administered online survey based on a convenience nonprobability sampling technique with participants in Kazakhstan and the US Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to investigate relationships between the constructs. Findings The findings indicated that PEV was influenced positively and significantly by robot service efficiency, enthusiastic curiosity, escapist experience and sense of security. Gender moderated the relationship between PEV and behavioral intention. Also, multigroup analyses found notable behavioral differences between Kazakh and US participants. Originality/value Grounded in Expectancy-value Theory, the present study demonstrated the effects of experiential (escapist experience), psycho-emotional (enthusiastic curiosity) and quality conditions (service efficiency and sense of security) on PEV and consumers’ behavioral intentions, with variations observed across genders and cultures.

A study on the green transformation path of industrial heritage from the perspective of user experience: A case study of Jiangsu Garden Expo Park

<p>With the advancement of economic structural transformation and urban renewal, the green transformation of industrial heritage sites is increasingly recognized as one of the key strategies for promoting sustainable urban development. Taking Jiangsu Garden Expo Park as an example, this study thoroughly explores the impact of the green transformation of industrial heritage sites on user experience and the relationship between user value perception, satisfaction, and behavioral intention. Based on the experience economy theory, the study classifies user experiences into four types: education, aesthetics, entertainment, and escapism, and examines how these experiences affect users’ functional perceived value, emotional perceived value, satisfaction, and behavioral intention. The results of the study show that educational, aesthetic, and escapist experiences have a significant positive effect on users’ emotional perceived value, while functional perceived value has a stronger effect on satisfaction than emotional perceived value. User satisfaction has a significant positive effect on behavioral intention, which suggests that enhancing user experience play a greater role in promoting positive user behaviour towards green transformation of industrial heritage sites. This study also provides recommendations for developing public participation, improving infrastructure development, cultivating spiritual connotations, and promoting cultural innovation to help the green transformation and tourism development of industrial heritage sites. The findings of this study provide certain theoretical basis and practical guidance for the green transformation of industrial heritage sites, explain the importance of optimising the development of industrial heritage sites from the perspective of user experience, and hopefully provide constructive suggestions for enhancing the attractiveness and sustainability of industrial heritage sites.<strong></strong></p>

The Effect of K-Beauty Franchise Selection Attributes on Brand Satisfaction and Continuous Use Intention: Mediating Effect of Brand Experience

This study analyzed the effect of K-beauty franchise selection attributes on brand satisfaction and continuous use intention, focusing on the mediating effect of brand experience. This study targeted foreign beauty consumers who have experienced K-beauty franchises. Using quantitative research methods, seven hypotheses were verified. The results indicated that selection attributes, such as service expertise, reliability, price, and store image, significantly effect brand experience and brand satisfaction. Also, brand experience, including aesthetic, entertainment, educational, and escapist experiences, was verified to mediate the relationship between selection attributes and brand satisfaction. Through the above results, this study provided theoretical and practical guidance and reference materials for the global strategic development of K-beauty franchises.

Who is easier to please? A cognitive appraisal mechanism of tourists’ hierarchical experiences

ABSTRACT The ethnic ancient cities, as ‘cultural contact zone’, carries a large number of tourists, who may have the same or different cultural background from the host culture. Combining experience economy theory and cognitive appraisal theory, this study constructed a cognitive appraisal mechanism of tourist’ hierarchical experiences in ethnic ancient cities. The PLS-SEM results of 489 tourists in Kashgar Ancient City and 474 tourists in Qingzhou Ancient City reveal that cognate cultural destinations require more effort to please tourists than non-cognate cultural destinations. In non-cognate cultural contexts, the cultural contact has a greater impact on interaction immersion, while in cognate cultural contexts, the authenticity experience has a greater impact on interaction immersion. Moreover, compared to other experiential types, the impact of escapist experience, which has high-level engagement and high-level connection, on destination satisfaction is negatively moderated by destination familiarity. These findings provide practical insights for managers to innovate experiential forms and promote tourists’ revisits in different cultural destinations.

Investigating User Experience of VR Art Exhibitions: The Impact of Immersion, Satisfaction, and Expectation Confirmation

As an innovative form in the digital age, VR art exhibitions have attracted increasing attention. This study aims to explore the key factors that influence visitors’ continuance intention to VR art exhibitions using the expectation confirmation model and experience economy theory and to explore ways to enhance visitor immersion in virtual environments. We conducted a quantitative study of 235 art professionals and enthusiasts, conducted using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), to examine the complex relationship between confirmation (CON), Perceived Usefulness (PU), Aesthetic Experiences (AE), Escapist Experiences (EE), Satisfaction (SAT), and Continuance Intention (CI). The results show that confirmation plays a key role in shaping PU, AE, and EE, which in turn positively affect visitors’ SAT. Among these factors, AE positively impacts PU, but EE have no impact. A comprehensive theoretical model was then constructed based on the findings. This research provides empirical support for designing and improving VR art exhibitions. It also sheds light on the application of expectation confirmation theory and experience economy theory in the art field to improve user experience and provides theoretical guidance for the sustainable development of virtual digital art environment.

Examination of Tourists’ Culinary Experience: Revisiting the Experience Economy in the Case of Hue Cuisine

This research aims to examine a scale to measure the culinary experience of tourists through the case of Hue cuisine in Vietnam. It could help address the issue of measurement inconsistency in culinary experience research. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 20 domestic tourists and then through surveys with 433 tourists. Using factor analysis methods, the research revealed that tourists’ culinary experience was measured by a second-order scale encompassing three interrelated dimensions. They included educational experience, escapist experience, and entersthetic experience. This culinary experience scale was found to be reliable, convergent, discriminant, and nomologically valid. The newly developed scale of culinary experience could be utilized in similar tourism contexts where the local food is unique and tasty. In addition, the research enhances tourism professionals' understanding of the significance of tourists' culinary experience. Consequently, they could improve tourists' experiences through a range of activities, such as telling stories about the local food, creating food check-in venues, and organizing local food games or contests. In terms of theoretical contribution, this research enhances the understanding of customer experience in the tourism context by validating a new second-order scale of culinary experience. The research also provides empirical evidence to demonstrate the multi-dimensional, collective, and changing nature of tourists’ culinary experience, using the Experience Economy perspective.

Augmented reality experience: An examination of viewer responses to sports videos

AbstractAugmented reality (AR) offers a transforming user experience and has been increasingly integrated into entertainment and service contexts. Drawing on experience economy theory and employing a mixed‐methods approach, this research evaluates the antecedents and consequences of four realms of viewer experiences: entertainment, educational, aesthetic, and escapist experiences, in AR‐infused sports videos. A qualitative study of semi‐structured interviews highlights three critical AR features in sports videos (i.e., novelty, vividness, and informativeness) in shaping viewer experiences. Subsequently, a research model is formulated to elucidate the relationships among AR features, four realms of viewer experiences, and behavioral intentions. A quantitative analysis based on survey data reveals that AR features exert varying effects on viewers' entertainment, educational, and aesthetic experiences, yet none significantly affects escapist experience, which is relatively trivial in viewers' overall experience. Entertainment, educational, aesthetic, and escapist experiences have various influences on viewers' intentions to watch again, to recommend, and to pay, except that entertainment and educational experiences do not significantly affect intention to pay. This research stresses the importance of understanding multiple aspects of user experiences in AR research and provides useful guidelines for AR features and viewer experience design in sports videos.

Enhancing Museum Visiting Experience: Investigating the Relationships Between Augmented Reality Quality, Immersion, and TAM Using PLS-SEM

Augmented reality (AR) has received increasing attention and has been utilized to enhance the customer experience in museums. This study employs the Information System (IS) success model, immersion theory, and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to investigate the impact of AR quality on various dimensions of immersion and the effects of different dimensions of immersion on perceived usefulness and ease of use. Quantitative research was conducted on 295 visitors surveyed at the Wuhan Natural History Museum. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to test the model. The results indicate that higher-quality AR enhances immersion and that aesthetic experience can enhance the escapist experience within the AR environment. Both dimensions of immersion contribute to perceived usefulness, while the aesthetic experience of museum visits contributes to perceived ease of use. The results obtained from the experiments provide insights into designing AR systems for use in museums.

The Role of Emotional Responses in the VR Exhibition Continued Usage Intention: A Moderated Mediation Model.

During COVID-19, many renowned galleries and art fairs used Virtual Reality (VR) exhibitions for art information dissemination and online displays. To avoid the risks of offline viewing of exhibitions, users can access a web-based VR exhibition platform for remote appreciation of artworks, gaining a rich art experience and thus contributing to physical and mental health. The reasons affecting users' continued usage intentions are not clear enough in the existing studies of VR exhibitions. Therefore, further studies are needed. This paper explores the relationship between users' escapist experience, aesthetic experience, presence, emotional responses, and continued usage intention through a survey of VR exhibition users. The survey data were collected from 543 users who had experienced the VR exhibition through an online survey website. The study results show that users' continued usage intentions are influenced by escapist experience and aesthetic experience. Presence plays a mediating role in the influence of escapist experiences and aesthetic experiences on continued usage intention. Emotional responses play a moderating role in the impact of user experience on continued usage intention. This paper provides a theoretical reference for the study of the impact mechanism of continued usage intention of VR exhibitions from the perspective of mental health. In addition, this study enables VR exhibition platforms to better understand the emotional state of users during art experiences to create and share healthy aesthetic information that can contribute to the management and enhancement of mental health. At the same time, it provides valuable and innovative guidance solutions for the future development of VR exhibitions.

Escapist Experiences in Retail Stores Based on Restorative and Turnerian Escape Shopping Environments

Escapist Experiences in Retail Stores Based on Restorative and Turnerian Escape Shopping Environments

Applying mixed methods to explore lighter and darker shades in hybrid dark tourism experiences

Aplicación de métodos mixtos Para explorar los matices más claros y más oscuros en las experiencias híbridas de turismo oscuroDiseño/metodología/enfoqueEl propósito de este estudio es demostrar el encendedor (entretenimiento y estética) experiencias) y los lados más oscuros (experiencias educativas y escapistas) de las experiencias de turismo oscuro. Este El estudio también examina el efecto de los lados más claros y más oscuros de las experiencias de turismo oscuro en funcional y valor emocional.PropósitoPara investigar cómo y dónde los visitantes experimentan más claro y más oscuro lados del turismo oscuro, los autores realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a visitantes del desmilitarizado coreano zona desmilitarizada (DMZ). Demostrar las consecuencias de los lados más claros y más oscuros de las experiencias de turismo oscuro en valor funcional y emocional, los autores recopilaron datos de encuestas de campo. En conjunto, los autores utilizaron métodos mixtos con diseño secuencial exploratorio.HallazgosLos entrevistados describieron vívidamente su entretenimiento (cruzar el puente colgante) y Experiencias estéticas (ver una familia de pájaros grulla desde una corta distancia) en la DMZ coreana. Ellos también describió experiencias educativas (comprendiendo los antecedentes de la guerra civil) y escapistas (limitar las entradas diarias les hizo sentir como si estuvieran entrando en un lugar especial o incluso en un país extranjero). Los resultados de la encuesta mostraron que las experiencias educativas y estéticas aumentaron el valor emocional, mientras que Las experiencias educativas y escapistas mejoraron el valor funcional de un recorrido por la DMZ coreana.Originalidad/valorInvestigaciones anteriores operacionalizaron los lados más claros y más oscuros del turismo oscuro con base en Características de los sitios de turismo oscuro. Específicamente, los aspectos más oscuros y más claros del turismo oscuro fueron determinado, dependiendo de si tales sitios están directamente relacionados con la muerte humana o no. sin embargo, el El estudio actual se basa en las experiencias turísticas para operacionalizar los lados más claros y más oscuros del turismo oscuro. Si bien la investigación anterior se centró en el lado de la oferta, este estudio cambia el enfoque hacia el lado de la demanda, por lo que avanzar en el conocimiento de experiencias híbridas de turismo oscuro.

지역특화 스포츠관광 프로그램의 체험요소가 도시이미지, 장소애착 및 만족도에 미치는 영향

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of experience factors of regional specialized sports tourism program on city image, place attachment, and satisfactionBR Method: Total of 400 questionnaires were distributed and 332 were returned usable. Techniques for data analysis were frequency analysis, reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS23.0 programs.BR Results: First, escapist experience and esthetic experience had a positive effect on the city image, while the same is not true for the entertainment experience on the city image. Second, entertainment experience and esthetic experience have a positive effect on place attachment, while the same is not true for the escapist experience on place attachment. Third, entertainment experience, escapist experience, and esthetic experience all have positive effects on satisfaction. Fourth, both the city image and place attachment have a positive effect on satisfaction.BR Conclusion: In conclusion, the regional specialized sports tourism promotion project reflects the characteristics of local tourism and combines sports tourism experience elements with the tourism infrastructure, which increases the competitiveness of local tourism, and acts as an important variable in improving the city image, place attachment, and satisfaction.

Getting back to human touch: habit and change decisions during mobile device intermediations at events

PurposeAs mobile device use in the events industry increases worldwide, an essential component for successful events is creating a unique experience. One way to enhance entertainer and attendee experience is by offering a phone-free space to enjoy an event. This study aims to examine mobile device habits and attendee willingness to adopt a mobile locking mechanism product at events and festivals.Design/methodology/approachAnalysis of variance and regression analyses were used to test the research questions using data collected from 299 attendees recruited through an online research company.FindingsResults reveal that mobile device habits are significantly related to the adoption of the phone locking product at events.Practical implicationsThis study provides contributions to event planners to offer distraction-free settings that provide an overall escapist experience for attendees.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to empirically examine the role of mobile device habits and willingness to adopt a phone-locking device with event attendees.

Marketing Strategy and Willingness to Pay for Sport Tourism in the Kinmen Marathon Event

In this study, we applied an evaluation model of multiple attributes of sport-based tourism to the marketing strategy for a marathon event in Kinmen (Taiwan) based on a choice experiment methodology. We found that the participants appreciated the experience of authentic cuisine and the availability of marathon souvenirs. They also preferred engaging in ecotourism activities and supporting the establishment of a sport development fund. We applied market segmentation by dividing the participants into two groups. Those in the first group were primarily younger, had higher incomes, and had participated previously in the Kinmen Marathon. Those in the second group primarily had lower incomes, were over 40 years old, and were participating in the Kinmen Marathon for the first time. Both groups preferred entertainment, educational, and esthetic experiences, but only the first group desired an escapist experience. We propose three marketing strategies for sport tourism experiences as a reference for future practice in Kinmen sport tourism.

중국 홍색관광의 체험요소, 체험만족, 애착 및 행동의도 간의 영향 관계: 체험경제이론(4Es)을 중심으로

This study aims to identify the influence relationship between experience satisfaction, attachment, and behavioral intentions of tourists who engaged in red tourism in China, focusing on the experience economy theory (4Es). A web survey questionnaire was distributed to Chinese tourists who have visited red tourism destinations in the past three years. This study adopted a quantitative research methodology utilizing the statistical program SPSS 26.0 to analyze the collected data. The results show that red tourism-related educational experience, esthetic experience, entertainment experience and escapist experience all had positive (+) impacts on experience satisfaction and affinity. Additionally, experience satisfaction was found to have a positive (+) influence on attachment. The findings also stated that experience satisfaction and attachment positively (+) affect tourists’ behavior intentions. This study offers potential strategies for the sustainable development of China

Augmented reality technology as a way to overcome cyber escapism

The article deals with the problem of cyber escapism and the dangers posed by escaping from reality into virtual space. While the desire for escapism in itself does not pose a significant danger to the escapist, specific ways of escaping to the "otherworld" can cause harm. The Internet allows you to find the fastest and most cost-effective way of such escape, but it can also cause the loss of one's own identity and the loss of the user's connection with reality. The formulation of the problem is based on the work of the culturologist E. N. Shapinskaya, who drew attention to the negative consequences of escapist experience in the cyber environment. The problem is especially relevant nowadays, given the almost ubiquitous transition of social and professional life to "online". The author comes to the conclusion that as a solution to the problem, it is possible to consider the use of augmented reality technology, in which a person does not completely immerse himself in the virtual world, but integrates virtual images into the environment. Thus, the space is transformed and satisfies the need for "escape", a change of environment and activity. However, reality is not replaced by an artificial one, which avoids the problems associated with excessive use of cyberspace. Studies in which augmented reality would act as a method of solving the problem of cyber escapism have not been conducted before.

Application of Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Modelling to Measure Experience Economy of Tourists

Objective –The present study looked at the connections between dance festival travelers’ experiences, satisfaction, and behavioural intention on the basing of the model on experience economy by Pine and Gilmore and the existing literature. The research is on how escape tourist experience and tourist satisfaction mediated other aspects of experience on behavioral intention. Methodology/Approach/Scope – The data was collected with the help of a structured questionnaire administered to 221 respondents in Konark Temple, Odisha, the venue of Konark Dance Festival 2022 held between 19th February to 23rd February 2022. The study employed confirmatory factor analysis and structural modelling techniques to evaluate the dimensions and test the hypotheses. Findings – The findings backed up the anticipated theoretical linkages between the dimensions, as well as the application of the scales of experience economy to dance festival. The findings further support the idea that the escapist experience plays a role in influencing the tourist’s evaluations of dance festival performance and behavioural desire to attend the same in the future. Implications & Conclusion – This study attempts to provide an initial path to view the escape experience of tourists as a sense of tourism sector accomplishments and the destination’s performance as a dimension. The model proposed in the study seems to be beneficial to festival management. Hence, the organisers of the dance festival are invigorated to improve upon and authenticate the model proposed by the researchers transversely to other festival settings.

무형문화재의 체험요소가 지각된 가치와 만족 및 행동의도에 미치는 영향: 안동 하회별신굿탈놀이를 대상으로

This paper attempted to analyze the effects of the intangible cultural heritage tourism experience factors to be dealt with in this study on perceived value, satisfaction, and behavioral intention based on the experience economy factors (4Es).<BR> As a result of the analysis, first, it was confirmed that esthetic experience, escapist experience, and educational experience, excluding entertainment experience, had a significant positive (+) effect on perceived value. Second, it was confirmed that the perceived value of tourists had a significant positive (+) effect on satisfaction. Third, it was found that entertainment experience, esthetic experience, educational experience, and escapist experience all had a significant positive (+) effect on the satisfaction of tourists

Relationship between perceived value, satisfaction and behavioural intention of homestays in the experience economy of mainland China

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of educational, aesthetic, entertainment and escapist experiences on the perceptions of functional, emotional and social value as well as homestay visitor satisfaction and behavioural intentions. A total of 472 respondents completed a survey conducted at 45 homestays on the Chinese mainland. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), it is found that aesthetic and escapist experiences are significant predictors of perceived functional, emotional and social value by visitors. Educational experience affects emotional value, but entertainment experience does not affect functional, emotional or social values. Functional, emotional and social values affect homestay tourist satisfaction, which in turn drives behavioural intention.