Search Results (703)

Nature-based tourism is expanding rapidly, placing new pressures on fragile ecosystems and governance structures that were not designed for the intensity and diversity of today’s visitors. Despite this trend, protected areas face unique management constraints and rapid socio-environmental changes. While motivational segmentation of tourists can provide valuable information to policymakers, this subject remains understudied/under-researched. This study addresses the gap by examining the motivations, behaviours, and attitudes of visitors to Romania’s national and natural parks, using a structured survey (n = 509) and a two-step approach combining dimensionality reduction with visitor segmentation. Principal component analysis (PCA) reveals distinct motivational dimensions related to visitors’ desire for immersion in nature, wildlife observation and learning, active recreation, and social–cultural engagement. Based on these dimensions, three visitor segments emerge through cluster analysis, with significantly different patterns of landscape use, expectations of recreational services, and perceptions of interpretation media. This research provides practical insights for targeted communication, zoning, and adaptive governance and proposes integrating visitor typologies with park management to support sustainable rural development. The findings highlight how a nuanced understanding of tourist segments can inform more effective policy measures that balance recreational demand with the long-term protection of natural and cultural resources, offering practical value for the sustainable development of protected areas, local communities, and other stakeholders. Full article

With the development of the healing economy, forest wellness tourism has emerged as a new form of healthy and high-value-added tourism, and its therapeutic attributes have become key to enhancing tourists’ health benefits. This study investigated the relationship between the therapeutic features of forest wellness tourism, restorative experiences and tourists’ health benefits. The data was obtained through the field survey of 639 forest wellness tourists in the form of questionnaires, and the research hypothesis is empirically tested using mathematical statistical analysis and a structural equation model. The results indicated that the therapeutic attributes of forest wellness tourism significantly improved tourists’ health benefits, with the natural environment, infrastructure, humane atmosphere and symbolic perception all having a positive impact. Moreover, restorative experiences play a positive mediating role between the therapeutic attributes of forest wellness tourism and tourists’ health benefits. This study enriches and expands the theoretical research system related to the therapeutic attributes of forest wellness tourism and restorative experiences, reveals how forest wellness tourism influences tourists’ health benefits, and provides a practical basis for the integrated development of the health and tourism industry. Full article

This study examines tourist perceptions of experiences offered on Airbnb, a sharing economy platform in Türkiye, through qualitative content analysis within the context of e-WOM. The study employs qualitative content analysis to examine 32,666 user reviews collected from Airbnb experiences offered across Türkiye within an experiential value framework. In the study, which analyzed a total of 32,666 user reviews, service excellence, aesthetics, and client return on investment emerged as the most prominent experiential values, while guided experiences were the highest-rated category. The findings revealed that experiential value dimensions vary by city and that hosts’ ratings also influence experiential value. Drawing on these findings, practical recommendations are offered to enhance host visibility and align experience offerings with tourist expectations. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating how experiential value is created through the co-creation of experiences within the context of digital interaction, local context, and the sharing economy. Full article

Digital technologies are reshaping how tourists and hospitality consumers search for, personalize, interpret, and share experiences. This study examines customer value co-creation (VCC) as a mechanism linking digital-age participation with consumer outcomes in tourism and hospitality. A PRISMA 2020-guided meta-analysis was conducted using Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and Hospitality & Tourism Complete. Forty peer-reviewed studies met the eligibility criteria. Random-effects models synthesized unadjusted correlations between VCC and its main antecedents and outcomes. VCC was positively associated with customer engagement, perceived innovation, and sustainability/CSR-related perceptions. On the outcome side, the strongest and most mature associations were observed for satisfaction (r = 0.64), loyalty (r = 0.61), and perceived value (r = 0.52). Extended outcomes, including experience evaluations, well-being, image, and equity-related indicators, were also positive on average but less empirically mature. High heterogeneity and wide prediction intervals show that VCC is better understood as a context-dependent mechanism rather than a universally strong predictor. Exploratory evidence suggests that digitally intensive service environments may strengthen the VCC–loyalty association. Although the evidence base is not cultural-tourism-specific, the findings are relevant to cultural and heritage settings where digital touchpoints can support interpretation, perceived authenticity, symbolic meaning, and post-visit advocacy. Full article

Rural land art festivals serve as an important practical vehicle for integrating urban and rural culture and tourism. They constitute a crucial component of rural tourism in China and play a key role in the sustainable development of rural areas. However, in practice, these festivals are generally confronted with the dilemma of superficial tourist participation and insufficient sustainability. This study aims to uncover the intrinsic psychological evolution mechanism underlying tourists’ responses to external stimuli and their value co-creation. The S-O-R model and the two-factor theory are integrated to construct an analytical framework: “external stimulus–psychological sequence–behavioral response.” Using “Modern Fields” as the case study and 437 valid data points, an empirical analysis is conducted with PLS-SEM and artificial neural networks (ANNs). The results indicate that tourist participation is directly driven by destination quality. Content stickiness exerts an indirect influence through perceived value. Perceived value facilitates value co-creation only when it is fully mediated by tourist participation. The path from participation to co-creation is significantly strengthened by restorative environmental perception. A multi-group analysis further reveals that inexperienced tourists exhibit a “stimulus-driven” characteristic, whereas experienced tourists follow a “value internalization” path. The ANN analysis further shows that the strongest nonlinear predictive power for co-creation behavior is held by restorative environmental perception. A significant direct nonlinear effect is also exerted by destination quality. The evolutionary nodes and boundary conditions of tourists’ psychological sequence during this process are revealed. The boundary effect of restorative environmental perception as a catalyst for rural art tourism is demonstrated. A theoretical basis and practical insights are thereby provided for the segmented operation and sustainable development of these activities. Full article

Service failures remain inevitable in tourism and hospitality, yet complaint behavior is often suppressed, particularly in non-routine, time-bound travel contexts. The Tourist Complaint Constraints (TCC) framework explains this silence through five tourism-specific constraints. However, it does not explicitly account for how platform-based and AI-mediated service environments reshape post-failure behavior. This paper revisits TCC and introduces TCC 2.0, a conceptual extension that reframes complaint constraints as structurally generated within platform-mediated recovery architectures. Drawing on justice theory and emerging research on AI-enabled service systems, the framework positions distributive, procedural, and interactional justice as central mediators linking complaint constraints to behavioral outcomes. It further incorporates platform/AI process constraints and algorithmic trust constraints as additional structural dimensions, while identifying recovery channel and failure magnitude as boundary conditions. A key contribution is the concept of platform-mediated silence, defined as a structurally induced form of non-complaining behavior shaped by constrained agency and recovery system design rather than satisfaction. The paper advances a set of propositions to guide empirical testing and future scale development in AI-mediated tourism contexts. By extending complaint behavior theory into digitally mediated service environments, TCC 2.0 offers a foundation for understanding how platform architectures shape customer voice, silence, and post-failure responses. Full article

Traditional Peruvian cuisine has become a globally recognized experience, but its impact on visitors to the Caral Supe archaeological site—one of the oldest centers of civilization in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—has not been studied. The main objective was to explain the constructs of the perceived authenticity of traditional food, loyalty to traditional food, service quality at traditional restaurants, and tourist satisfaction with visits to archaeological sites, based on the experience economy theory. An explanatory study was conducted using a structural equation modeling approach (PLS-SEM), applied to a sample of 381 tourists who visited the archaeological site and consumed local cuisine at restaurants in the destination of Barranca. The findings confirmed significant relationships among the model’s constructs (p < 0.01). It is suggested that the perception of authenticity of traditional food is a determining factor for loyalty (R² = 0.743) and a driver of satisfaction with the visit to the archaeological site (R² = 0.617), which constitutes the study’s contribution. However, the R² value for the construction of the tourist experience at the destination (R² = 0.301), the model does not fully capture the complexity of experiential processes at this particular heritage destination, which may depend on emotional, cultural, or contextual variables not included in this study. Satisfaction with the visit to the archaeological site is primarily related to staff attentiveness, the quality of guide explanations, and safety. It is concluded that the interplay between satisfaction with the visit to the archaeological site, the perceived authenticity of traditional food, and the quality of service in restaurants is fundamental to enhancing the experience at the heritage destination, thereby positioning traditional food and archaeotourism. It is recommended that the public and private sectors design strategies aimed at generating authentic and sustainable experiences for visitors, strengthening factors such as the destination’s reputation, the positive image of the site, satisfaction with the trip at the destination, and the positive experience. Full article

Against the backdrop of two-way urban–rural flows and the development of rural tourism, public space in peri-urban plain-type villages now carries multiple functions at the same time, including everyday life, visitor stay, and spatial display. As a result, the relationship between spatial organization and actual use has become increasingly complex. Taking Xihuaiyuan Village on the outskirts of Taiyuan as a case study, this paper builds a four-scale analytical framework covering the village, street, node, and element scales. It integrates social network analysis (SNA), space syntax, behavioral path analysis, questionnaire and interview data, and image–text perception data collected from Weibo, Xiaohongshu, Mafengwo, Dianping, and Ctrip to examine the structural characteristics, actual use, and spatial representation of rural public space, and further introduces spatial–behavioral coupling analysis at the node scale. The results show that there is a clear structure–behavior mismatch in the public-space system of Xihuaiyuan Village. The physical spatial network is more connected than the behavioral network. At the street level, the village has formed a configurational hierarchy led by a small number of streets with high integration and high choice. At the node level, functional use differs between villagers and tourists: villagers tend to prefer nodes with stronger social functions, while tourists rely more on sightseeing-oriented hubs. These nodes can be further divided into four types: synergistic, structure-Led, behavior-led, and dual-low marginal type. Spatial attraction is mainly concentrated in visual elements such as murals and flower landscapes, whereas cultural depth and service facilities receive much less attention. From the perspective of spatial–behavioral interaction, this study proposes a multi-scale, multi-source coupling framework, which may provide a useful reference for the differentiated identification and optimization of rural public space. Full article

This study analyzes tourist loyalty in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve by integrating affinity-based segmentation and the Forgotten Effects Theory within a fuzzy logic framework. The objective was to identify how visitor affinities condition the indirect construction of loyalty in contexts of high environmental complexity. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 316 tourists using a non-probabilistic sampling approach. Using the Pichat Algorithm and the Forgotten Effects Theory, the research captured gradual membership patterns and mediated relationships that conventional models often overlook. Results indicate that, while age, particularly Generation X, acts as a connecting axis, postgraduate education levels generate a polarization of visitor perceptions across segments. Significant forgotten effects (up to 0.30) were identified, suggesting that variables such as satisfaction, entertainment, and relaxation act as mediating mechanisms between learning, perceived value, and the intention to revisit. This study suggests that loyalty is not constructed directly but is indirectly shaped by affinity-based visitor structures. It recommends that management strategies evolve toward environmental edutainment models and that marketing efforts be diversified according to differentiated visitor profiles. These findings demonstrate the utility of fuzzy logic for the strategic management of high-value ecological destinations. Full article

Ancient town tourism has become an important component of cultural tourism in China. However, rapid tourism growth has intensified differences in the use of public spaces between residents and tourists, leading to increasing spatial tensions in historic urban areas. This study evaluates public building spaces in ancient towns from the perspectives of residents and tourists and identifies their differentiated needs. Three representative ancient towns in Fujian Province, China, with different tourism resource types and development characteristics, were selected as case studies. The IPA–KANO approach was used to examine differences in user perceptions and priority needs. Based on a literature review, an evaluation system was developed with three dimensions: traditional style, sensory experience, and supporting facilities. The results reveal clear resident–tourist differences in public space priorities and show that these differences vary across ancient towns with different tourism development contexts. Residents place greater emphasis on the maintenance of the environment and facilities and on everyday usability, whereas tourists are more sensitive to public toilet settings and sun and rain shelter facilities. These findings indicate that resident–tourist divergence is context dependent rather than fixed and provide a basis for differentiated spatial optimization and sustainable management. Full article

Urban waterfronts are vital public spaces that contribute to urban sustainability by providing residents with opportunities for recreation, social interaction, and nature experiences. Understanding user perceptions in these environments is essential for evidence-based design. Taking Taiyuan Fenhe Park in China as a case with local residents as respondents, this study investigated how objective audiovisual characteristics are associated with tourist loyalty through perceptual dimensions, while also examining interactive associations between visual and auditory elements. Data were collected at 539 spatial samples spaced at five-minute walking intervals. Methods included on-site acoustic measurements, panoramic imaging, computer-based visual and auditory quantification, and questionnaire surveys, yielding a total of 1768 valid responses. Visual features were quantified using semantic segmentation, object detection, and depth prediction, whereas the auditory environment was characterized by physical acoustic and psychoacoustic indicators. Three perceptual dimensions—environmental restorativeness (ERS), spatial vitality (SVS), and environmental controllability (ECS)—were extracted and tested as mediators within the stimulus–organism–response (S-O-R) framework. Results indicated that ERS, SVS, and ECS function as three parallel mediating constructs in the statistical model, with SVS showing the strongest statistical association with tourist loyalty. In addition, fluctuation strength exhibited a significant direct effect on tourist loyalty independent of these three perceptual dimensions. A total of 17 significant audiovisual interactions were identified, revealing both synergistic and antagonistic effects. These findings contribute to theoretical frameworks of multisensory integration and provide practical guidance for sustainable waterfront design. Specifically, zoning strategies and carefully selected audiovisual combinations are relevant to enhanced user experience and may contribute to long-term social well-being. Full article

The integration of culture and tourism has positioned literary heritage tourism as an important pathway for the sustainable development of cultural landscapes and urban regeneration. However, existing studies remain fragmented, lacking a systematic understanding of the spatial configuration, development processes, and the role of tourists in shaping these spaces. Addressing these gaps, this study adopts a tourist-perception perspective to examine seven types of literary heritage tourism space forms in Shanghai. Using online review data, TF–IDF and TextRank methods are applied to identify key space elements and their semantic relationships, enabling a data-driven analysis of spatial characteristics. The results identify three key dimensions, namely perceptual, conceptual, and experiential, which are further organised into 15 subcategories. A spatial analytical framework is developed to conceptualise the literary heritage tourism space as a process shaped by physical settings, symbolic interpretations, and experiential co-production. Furthermore, the findings suggest an interpretive framework of spatial reconstruction, in which tourist participation serves as a link between internal space elements and broader socio-cultural contexts. This study extends the application of spatial production theory from a perception-based perspective, combines computational text analysis with spatial interpretation, and offers practical implications for sustainable cultural landscape planning. Full article

The growing emphasis on sustainable tourism has increased the importance of environmentally responsible practices in the hospitality industry. Green hotels have emerged as an important strategy for reducing environmental impacts while meeting the expectations of environmentally conscious travelers. However, limited research has examined the psychological mechanisms influencing international tourists’ decisions to choose green hotels in emerging tourism destinations. This study investigates the factors influencing international tourists’ motivation and intention to select green hotels in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. A quantitative research design was employed using a structured questionnaire survey of 350 international tourists. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the relationships among sustainability image, perceived Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), environmental awareness, perceived value for money, trust in green hotels, motivation to choose green hotels, and Green Hotel Selection Intention. The results indicate that sustainability image, perceived ESG, and trust in green hotels significantly influence tourists’ motivation to choose green hotels, with trust demonstrating the strongest effect. In contrast, environmental awareness and perceived value for money do not show significant effects on motivation. Furthermore, motivation to choose green hotels has a strong positive influence on Green Hotel Selection Intention. These findings highlight the critical role of motivation as a psychological mechanism linking sustainability perceptions to tourists’ accommodation choices. The study contributes to the literature on sustainable tourism and green consumer behavior by integrating sustainability image and ESG perceptions into a comprehensive framework explaining Green Hotel Selection Intention. From a practical perspective, the findings suggest that hotel managers should strengthen trust through transparent sustainability communication, obtain recognized green certifications, and promote ESG initiatives through digital marketing channels. Destination policymakers in Chiang Mai may also support standardized green hotel accreditation programs to enhance tourists’ confidence in sustainable accommodation choices. These strategies can support the development of sustainable hospitality practices and enhance the competitiveness of green hotels in Chiang Mai and other tourism destinations. Full article

Sustainable Community-Based Tourism (SCBT) has been predominantly assessed from residents’ perspectives, leaving unexplored how tourists perceive and validate community sustainability. This study analyzes the influence of three SCBT dimensions, authenticity and community empowerment, integral sustainability, and ethical co-design, on tourist experience. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), we analyzed 341 responses from Mexican tourists with experience in indigenous community destinations in Oaxaca. Results show that integral sustainability is the strongest predictor of tourist experience, followed by ethical co-design. Notably, authenticity and community empowerment exhibit a significant inverse relationship, suggesting tensions between genuine local governance and visitor expectations. These findings position tourists as external validators of SCBT and challenge the linear authenticity–experience relationship assumed in classic literature, highlighting the need for heritage interpretation strategies that mediate this interaction. The study provides evidence from underrepresented Latin American indigenous contexts, addressing theoretical and geographical gaps in sustainable tourism research. Full article

This study examines the transformation of the Balaton region in Hungary from a traditional tourist destination into an international retirement migration destination for older adults from Western Europe. Migration theories and models are applied to illustrate the relationships between migration and development and to explore how tourism, lifestyle aspirations, and socio-economic factors influence the settlement decisions of older migrants. Empirical findings suggest that prior tourism experience can mitigate the uncertainty associated with migration and foster belonging. However, many retirees move to Hungary with limited knowledge of the country, relying on social networks and real estate agents for information. These retired migrants also utilize local services and infrastructure, including healthcare and community spaces, which shape their daily lives and help them integrate into the community. The migration of older adults stimulates the development of peripheral rural areas through real estate purchases, renovations, and small-scale entrepreneurial activities, particularly in the accommodation sector. This challenges the traditional perception of older-age migrants as inactive. Full article