Tourist Experience Research Articles

Research on Leisure Tourism Destination Image Innovation Driven by Artificial Intelligence

As the public’s demand for tourism experience continues to improve, the demand for tourism products gradually develops in the direction of personalization, customization and differentiation. In order to mine the image of leisure tourism destinations, this paper conducts theme mining on the review texts of leisure tourism destinations by means of LDA model. An improved neural network language model CBOW and a Glove model are used to train the review word vectors of leisure tourism destination texts. Based on the deep fully connected neural network model, the perceptual features of tourist destinations are studied and analyzed. Taking Sanya tourist attractions as a research case, by analyzing the perception of tourist attractions, the cognitive image vocabulary of Sanya tourist attractions includes three major categories. Among them, tourism attractions, tourism infrastructure and services, tourism service atmosphere, and tourists’ travel behavior accounted for 53.1%, 22.3%, 5.1%, and 19.5% respectively. Then the emotional vocabulary in the perception of tourism destination image in Sanya City was categorized in terms of positive, neutral and negative, and from the neutral vocabulary, the word frequency number of words such as waiting (101), understanding (185), fun (61), and relaxation (56) was high. Regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing the effect of tourists’ perception of destination image. Among them, tangibility (0.43), reliability (0.463), and responsiveness (0.434) were positively and significantly related to tourist satisfaction. Improving the image of leisure tourism destination can focus on these three aspects.

Travelling with open eyes! A study to measure consumers’ intention towards experiencing immersive technologies at tourism destinations by using an integrated model of TPB, TAM captured through the lens of S-O-R

PurposeImmersive technologies fully immerse users in augmented environments for interactive experiences. The purpose of this study is to measure consumers’ intention towards experiencing immersive technologies at tourism destinations using an integrated theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and technology acceptance model (TAM) model within the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework, including motivation (MOT), trust (TR) and perceived risk (PR).Design/methodology/approachThe survey data was collected through convenience sampling via an online questionnaire, with a sample size of 487 Indians. Structural equation modelling was conducted using SPSS and AMOS software for data analysis, ensuring a robust examination of the proposed model and its relationships.FindingsVirtual interactivity and social interaction influence both attitude and perceived behavioural control. Attitude, perceived behavioural control, perceived usefulness and TR significantly influence intention. However, MOT, PR and perceived ease of use do not exhibit a significant influence on intention. These findings highlight the importance of these variables in shaping consumers’ intention towards experiencing immersive technologies at tourism destinations.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings hold significant implications for various stakeholders, including government agencies, travel firms, content creators and software developers. They can leverage these insights to enhance marketing strategies, develop immersive tourism experiences, innovate in the realm of Web 4.0 and personalize tourism offerings.Originality/valueThis study offers a distinctive contribution by integrating the S-O-R framework with TPB and TAM, while also incorporating key factors such as MOT, TR and PR. This novel approach provides a fresh perspective on consumer behaviour towards immersive technologies.

The psychological influence of perceived destination attributes in 360° virtual tours on tourists’ responses

ABSTRACT A 360° virtual tour experience integrates videos and smartphones to evoke tourists’ cognition, emotion, and heightened intentions. The present study investigates the impact of perceived destination attributes on information-seeking and destination visit intention when tourists are presented with a 360° virtual tour experience. The Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework is extended to investigate this mechanism by incorporating perceived destination attributes as a stimulus, tourists’ perceived confidence, confirmation, and satisfaction as an organism, and information seeking and visit intention as a response. Data was collected from 260 tourists in India. The results reveal the strong influence of 360° media in generating perceived destination attributes, which has a significant and positive association with tourists’ perceived confidence and destination satisfaction. Findings based on Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) reveal that destination satisfaction is a strong predictor of information-seeking, and confirmation is a predictor of destination visit intention. The implications provide valuable insights to Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs), VR content creators, and policymakers for effectively promoting VR videos for tourism.

Experiential Tourism Intention: The Case Innovation of Salt Field into Experiential Tourism

Experiential Tourism Intention: The Case Innovation of Salt Field into Experiential Tourism

Factors Influencing Revisit Cycling Tour in Bali, Indonesia: The Role of Tourist Engagement, Destination Attribute, Memorable Tourist Experience and Environmental Concern

Factors Influencing Revisit Cycling Tour in Bali, Indonesia: The Role of Tourist Engagement, Destination Attribute, Memorable Tourist Experience and Environmental Concern

The impact of visual and auditory landscapes on coastal tourism experience: Applying the stimulus-organism-response model for social development

The impact of visual and auditory landscapes on coastal tourism experience: Applying the stimulus-organism-response model for social development

The Swedish Fika culture as a touristic experience and value-creating resource

Swedish fika, an everyday ritual of meeting over coffee and pastries - in the home, the workplace or at a café - is a deep-rooted part of Swedish culinary culture and a bearer of culture and national identity. Thus, fika would seem to offer just what tourists typically are looking for. However, so far it appears the tourism industry has not taken full advantage of what fika can offer, an experience for tourists and a resource for the tourism sector. As part of destination development and place branding, private and public actors strive to emphasise the identity and uniqueness of a place. They often do this through region specific foods and beverages, which come naturally loaded with identity. The primary purpose of this conceptual discussion is to examine how the Swedish fika culture, seen from an experience and value-creating perspective, could help serve the tourism sector to a greater extent than has hitherto been the case. A secondary purpose is to identify and highlight the need for research in this field.

Analysis of Tourist Experiences at Dark Tourism Sites in Kinmen: Clustering Analysis of Motivations, Emotional Responses, and Satisfaction

Dark tourism involves visiting sites associated with death, disaster, and major historical tragedies. Kinmen, Taiwan, known for its history of multiple wars, features notable dark tourism sites such as Mount Taiwu, the Guningtou War Museum, and the 823 Memorial Hall. These sites currently offer educational significance about historical events, but visiting them often triggers complex emotional responses. This study explores tourist experiences at these sites, focusing on motivations, emotional reactions, and the relationship between satisfaction and psychological stress. The study surveyed 348 visitors and used clustering analysis to group their travel experiences. The results identified three types of visitors: History Enthusiasts, War Memorialists, and Exploratory Curiosity Seekers, each with distinct motivations and emotional responses. Emotions experienced include sadness, shock, fear, and unease, closely related to the content and atmosphere of the sites. While overall satisfaction is high, many visitors report being "satisfied but not happy." The study suggests targeted strategies to enhance dark tourism experiences, such as providing emotional support, emphasizing commemorative value, and offering ethical education. Recommendations for site management include addressing emotional needs and balancing educational significance with emotional impact.

Integrating Generative AI and IoT for Sustainable Smart Tourism Destinations

This paper aims to develop a groundbreaking approach to fostering inclusive smart tourism destinations by integrating generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) with natural language processing (NLP) and the Internet of Things (IoT) into an intelligent platform that supports tourism decision making and travel planning in smart tourism destinations. The acquisition of this new technology was conducted using Agile methodology through requirements analysis, system architecture analysis and design, implementation, and user evaluation. The results revealed that the synergistic combination of these technologies was organized into three tiers. The system provides information, including place names, images, descriptive text, and an audio option for users to listen to the information, supporting tourists with disabilities. Employing advanced AI algorithms alongside NLP, developed systems capable of generating predictive analytics, personalized recommendations, and conducting real-time, multilingual communication with tourists. This system was implemented and evaluated in Suphan Buri and Ayutthaya, UNESCO World Heritage sites in Thailand, with 416 users participating. The results showed that system satisfaction was influenced by (1) the tourism experience, (2) tourism planning and during-trip factors (attention, interest, and usage), and (3) emotion. The relative Chi-square (χ2/df) of 1.154 indicated that the model was suitable. The Comparative Fit Index (CFI) was 0.990, the Goodness-of-Fit Index (GFI) was 0.965, and the model based on the research hypothesis was consistent with the empirical data. This paper contributions significant advancements in the field of smart tourism by demonstrating the integration of Gen AI, NLP, and the IoT and offering practical solutions and theoretical insights that enhance accessibility, personalization, and environmental sustainability in tourism.

Authenticity matters: investigating virtual tours’ impact on curiosity and museum visit intentions

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact of virtual museum tours on intentions to visit on-site museums. Furthermore, the role of an authentic virtual tour experience and its drivers is examined.Design/methodology/approachThe results of two studies, a field study in collaboration with one of the most renowned museums in Austria (n = 227) and an online survey (n = 153), were analyzed with a series of mediation models.FindingsVisual appeal and narrative quality were significant drivers of an authentic virtual tour experience. Curiosity mediated the positive effect of virtual tour usage intention on on-site museum visit intention.Originality/valueAlthough virtual reality has been considered a promising marketing tool in tourism, no research has explored the drivers of an authentic virtual tour experience. The findings of this study not only add new insights into the role of a virtual tour’s visual appeal and narrative quality in generating authentic experience and thus prompting virtual tour usage intentions but also demonstrate that virtual tours positively impact on-site visit intentions driven by curiosity.

SATISFACTION OF INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TOURISTS IN MALAYSIA’S OLDEST NATIONAL PARK: TAMAN NEGARA PAHANG

This study evaluates the satisfaction of both international and domestic tourists within Malaysia’s oldest national park, Taman Negara Pahang, employing a quantitative methodology through a survey comprising eight distinct dimensions: amenities, service quality, natural allure, accommodation, food services, transport, recreational offerings, and expense. The researchers garnered a sample of 387 respondents via convenience sampling and analysed using frequency distribution and independent sample t-tests. Findings indicate a general satisfaction among tourists with their park visitation experience. However, the researchers identified that service quality, transport, and cost require substantial enhancements to elevate the tourist experience. While both tourist groups displayed similar satisfaction levels, international tourists reported marginally higher satisfaction across most dimensions except for recreational activities. Varying motivations, influenced by geographical origins, attribute this discrepancy to the criteria for satisfaction evaluation. The study underscores the importance of continual tourism demand for sustaining national park conservation efforts through revenue generation. The researchers anticipate that the insights derived from this research will guide enhancements in the performance of tourism products and services through diversified feedback. Marketing strategies tailored to cater to the distinct preferences of domestic and international tourists are recommended, especially for Taman Negara Pahang, which enjoys popularity among both visitor segments.

Interrelation Between Tourism Destination Financial Management and Tourist Experiences: Qualitative Approach to Literature

Interrelation Between Tourism Destination Financial Management and Tourist Experiences: Qualitative Approach to Literature

Perceived Quality of Service in Tourist Transportation in the City of Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador

This study investigates the perceived quality of tourist transportation services in Baños de Agua Santa, Ecuador, utilizing the SERVQUAL model to assess service quality. Through an examination of the gap between tourists’ expectations and their actual experiences, the research aims to evaluate service quality. A survey of 203 tourists who utilized the “Chivas” tourist ground transportation service forms the basis of the analysis. The findings reveal significant negative gaps across all dimensions of service quality, indicating a shortfall in meeting tourists’ expectations. Notably, the reliability dimension exhibits the most pronounced gap, highlighting the importance of fulfilling service commitments to cultivate trust. The study underscores the crucial role of service quality in the tourism sector and proposes targeted improvements, including enhancing facility modernity, providing staff training, and enhancing service responsiveness and reliability. Addressing these gaps has the potential to enrich the tourist experience, bolster the positive image of transportation services, and enhance the city’s appeal.

Understanding the impact of tourist behavior change on travel agencies in developing countries: Strategies for enhancing the tourist experience

The study investigates the impact of tourist behavior change on travel agencies in developing countries, with a focus on strategies for enhancing the tourist experience. The research aims to identify the main factors influencing tourist purchasing behavior and understand their relationship with the customer experience. Data were collected from 368 experienced tourists in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam, using a combination of convenience and random sampling. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is employed to analyze the research model. The findings confirm that product quality, product price, brand image, and marketing strategy significantly influence tourist purchasing behavior. Importantly, the results highlight the indirect effect of these factors on purchasing behavior, mediated through customer experience. It suggests that enhancing the customer experience is a crucial aspect of influencing tourist purchasing decisions. Based on these findings, industry managers and travel agents in developing countries should prioritize enhancing customer experience and building a strong brand through personalized services, digital integration, and active social media engagement. Implementing dynamic pricing strategies and targeted marketing campaigns that address safety concerns and highlight local experiences are crucial for competitiveness and attracting travelers post-crisis. Future research should explore the long-term effects of these strategies on travel agency performance and adapt the model to specific regional contexts. By adopting these multifaceted approaches, travel agencies in developing countries can enhance their competitiveness and better navigate the changing tourist behavior in the post-crisis era.

Government promotion and city image: visitor intentions in Macao

PurposeThis study aims to critically evaluate the impact of government tourism promotion methods on city image and visiting intentions and to explore the moderating effect of tourism experience on two of the conceptualized relationships, using Macao as a case study.Design/methodology/approachThe research analyzed responses from 407 Macao visitors during the pandemic to determine the effects of tourism promotion methods on the city’s image and visiting intention using structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypotheses.FindingsThis study revealed that tourism promotion methods positively impact the city’s image and visiting intentions. City image also mediates the relationship between tourism promotion methods and visiting intentions. Furthermore, tourism experience moderates the relationships between promotion methods and city image and between promotion methods and visiting intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThe study’s findings on the effects of promotion methods utilized by local governments support and expand upon existing theoretical frameworks within the realm of nonprofit organizations’ management and marketing for destination marketing organizations (DMOs). However, the cross-sectional design limits causality, and findings may not be generalizable beyond Macao without further comparative research.Practical implicationsThis study provides valuable insights for policymakers and marketers to design promotional campaigns that deliver authentic and memorable experiences, aligning with their promotional promises, especially in postpandemic contexts.Social implicationsThis research contributes to the theoretical and methodological advancement of management and marketing for DMOs from a public sector perspective, highlighting the critical role of government involvement in urban tourism promotion.Originality/valueThe research offers valuable insights into how promotional activities influence visiting intentions, advancing tourism management and marketing for DMOs from a nonprofit perspective. The study validates theories and adds unique insights by focusing on Macao’s postpandemic recovery, offering practical implications for similar urban settings.

Interactive design of new media images and architectural space: taking Hangzhou as an example

ABSTRACT Traditional architectural space design often relies on fixed display boards, paper guides, and static displays. Viewers can only passively receive information and lack opportunities to interact with the displayed content, making it difficult to generate deep participation and personalized experiences. This article applied new media images into the interactive design of architectural spaces, transforming and innovating traditional architectural spaces, and providing audiences with a richer and more attractive spatial experience. The navigation service was set as the architectural space design goal, and analyzed using the Leifeng Tower building in Hangzhou as an example. Building Information Modeling (BIM) was used to digitally model the Leifeng Tower building, accurately simulating the building structure, spatial layout, and landscape information. By adding virtual information annotations and navigation routes, tourists were provided with a more diverse and colorful architectural space experience. The experimental results showed that among 400 tourists, the highest number of tourists using augmented reality navigation was 204, and the average satisfaction score of tourists with augmented reality navigation reached 90. Moreover, presenting the guide content in a multimodal form can better enhance the spatial experience of tourists. The use of augmented reality in architectural spatial interaction design can enrich tourists’ perception and experience in the architectural space, enabling them to interact with the building in a more vivid and interactive way.

Exploring the Formation of Behavioral Intention Toward Rural Tourism via Sensory Experience and Memorable Tourism Experiences, a Case Study in Henan, China

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the formation of tourists’ behavioral intentions toward rural tourism by analyzing sensory experiences and memorable tourism experiences. The research was conducted through a case study in Henan, China. Using a quantitative approach, a survey was conducted where 490 participants completed a face-to-face questionnaire. The findings from the partial least squares structural equation modeling revealed that out of the five sensory experiences, only touch has a statistically significant and positive impact on behavioral intention. On the other hand, sight, sound, taste, and smell do not have a meaningful influence. In contrast, all five senses exhibited substantial beneficial effects on memorable tourism experiences. Memorable tourism experiences emerged to act as a mediator between the five senses and behavioral intention. This study is a pioneer attempt in the field of rural tourism, using the embodiment perspective to explore the mechanisms and connections linking sensory experiences, memorable tourism experiences, and behavioral intentions. The findings offer significant theoretical insights and practical contributions to advance the research and industry of rural tourism.

Chinese-English Translation of Garden Imagery in Tourist Attraction Descriptions from the Perspective of “Three Beauties Theory”: A Case Study of Lotus Garden in Huzhou

This paper examines the translation of garden imagery in the introduction texts of Huzhou Lotus Garden from the perspective of the “Three Beauties Theory”. It categorizes the imagery and identifies issues such as cultural loss, style deviations, terminology inconsistencies, and the neglect of target cultures. Proposed are tailored translation techniques that align with the beauties of sense, sound, and form, aiming to enhance text quality and the reading experiences of tourists. This study refines the translation of tourist attractions and inspires cross-cultural communication.

Exploring Tourist Experience through Online Reviews Using Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis with Zero-Shot Learning for Hospitality Service Enhancement

Hospitality services play a crucial role in shaping tourist satisfaction and revisiting intention toward destinations. Traditional feedback methods like surveys often fail to capture the nuanced and real-time experiences of tourists. Digital platforms such as TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google Reviews provide a rich source of user-generated content, but the sheer volume of reviews makes manual analysis impractical. This study proposes integrating aspect-based sentiment analysis with zero-shot learning to analyze online tourist reviews effectively without requiring extensive annotated datasets. Using pretrained models like RoBERTa, the research framework involves keyword extraction, sentence segment detection, aspect construction, and sentiment polarity measurement. The dataset, sourced from TripAdvisor reviews of attractions, hotels, and restaurants in Central Java, Indonesia, underwent preprocessing to ensure suitability for analysis. The results highlight the importance of aspects such as food, accommodation, and cultural experiences in tourist satisfaction. The findings indicate a need for continuous service improvement to meet evolving tourist expectations, demonstrating the potential of advanced natural language processing techniques in enhancing hospitality services and customer satisfaction.

Service Quality as a Catalyst for Competitive Advantage and Business Performance in Hotel Industry: An Empirical Analysis by PLS-SEM Algorithm

This study investigates the vital role of service quality in the hotel industry, focusing on its impact on business performance and competitive advantages. Utilizing cross-sectional survey responses from hotel employees, we employed partial least squares structural equation modelling to analyze the relationships between service quality, competitive advantage, and business performance. Results highlight the pivotal role of quality in enhancing competitive advantages and operational efficiency in the hotel sector. The findings underscore the significant influence of service quality on both competitive advantage and overall business performance in the tourism service sector, leading to positive outcomes such as improved tourist experiences, economic growth, and an enhanced destination image. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of competitive advantage, service quality, and innovation in driving business performance, with direct implications for pricing strategies and service quality in the hotel industry.