Destination image and revisit intentions: a mediation-moderation study through tourist satisfaction and place attachment

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to test the relationship of cognitive destination image and affective destination image with tourist satisfaction and revisit intention. This study also tested the mediation effect of tourist satisfaction between cognitive destination image and affective destination image with revisit intention. Furthermore, place attachment is aimed to test as a moderator between tourist satisfaction and revisit intention. Design/methodology/approach Participants in this study are international visitors who were visiting different tourist places in Pakistan. A total of 340 tourists participated in the data collection process, and subsequent data analysis was performed using SPSS and smart-PLS. Findings The results confirmed a significant effect of affective destination image on revisit intention, whilst’ cognitive destination image does not signify a significant influence on revisit intention for international tourists; however, tourist satisfaction confirmed the mediation effect between cognitive-affective destination image and revisit intention. Furthermore, the place attachment confirmed significant moderation with revisit intention. Originality/value This study provides valuable insights into the context of tourist revisit intention in Pakistan. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the model tested in this study (affective destination image and cognitive destination image > tourists’ satisfaction > place attachment > revisit intention) is developed for the first time and is the first of its kind to test the moderation effect of place attachment with revisit intention. This study is supported by the Oliver expectancy disconfirmation theory and the Bowlby theory, which is another novelty of this study.