Investigating the Relationship between Experience, Well-Being, and Loyalty: A Study of Wellness Tourists

Abstract

The present research aims to determine the relationship between the construct of autonomy, intrinsic motivation, and tourist experience, as well as loyalty in the context of wellness and spa tourism. The exploratory–descriptive design was adopted in the present research. A research instrument was developed based on previous literature and was tested for a pilot study to check validity and reliability. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect the data from tourists who have gained spa experience. A total of 264 usable responses were received after distributing 400 questionnaires. The data were screened, processed, and analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 and Smart-PLS 2.0. The investigation showed that intrinsic motivation, autonomy, and experience positively impact positive emotions and life satisfaction. Besides, it also supported that positive emotions, experience, and life Satisfaction lead to loyalty. Furthermore, the present study tested the mediating role of experience, positive emotions, and life satisfaction; it was also found that experience mediates the relationship between autonomy, positive emotions, and life satisfaction. Positive emotions and life satisfaction were mediators in the relationship between experience and loyalty. Finally, the findings showed that destination images moderated the relationship between experience, positive emotions, and life satisfaction. The results of this investigation can be helpful for both the research community and marketers interested in investigating the well-being of tourists and destination loyalty.

Digital mapping of tourism destinations in Bangka Regency based on the wellness tourism model

“…The results of this study are consistent with prior research emphasizing the significance of wellestablished facilities in drawing wellness tourists (Han et al, 2020;Khuong & Phuong, 2017;Pandža Bajs, 2015;Pyke et al, 2016;Reitsamer & Brunner-Sperdin, 2017;Singh et al, 2022;Thawornwiriyatrakul & Meeprom, 2020). Destinations equipped with extensive wellness tourism facilities are more capable of meeting the varied needs and preferences of wellness tourists, thereby enhancing their potential to attract and retain this expanding segment of the tourism market.…”

“…Apart from the presence of facilities, the significance of attracting wellness tourists is also influenced by the quality and distinctiveness of wellness experiences. Destinations that provide inventive and genuine wellness experiences can set themselves apart from competitors and draw a broader spectrum of wellness tourists in search of unique and distinctive wellness encounters (Khuong & Phuong, 2017;Nawijn & Filep, 2016;Pandža Bajs, 2015;Pyke et al, 2016;Reitsamer & Brunner-Sperdin, 2017;Ritpanitchajchaval et al, 2023;Singh et al, 2022;Thawornwiriyatrakul & Meeprom, 2020).…”

“…Destinations that adeptly highlight their potential in wellness tourism through focused marketing initiatives and partnerships with stakeholders in the wellness tourism sector can proficiently draw in and sustain the interest of wellness tourists (Chen et al, 2014;Nawijn & Filep, 2016;Page et al, 2017;Pandža Bajs, 2015;Pyke et al, 2016Pyke et al, , 2016Singh et al, 2022;Smith et al, 2010).…”

Wellness Tourism Management Research A bibliometric analysis

“…The seventh cluster is loyalty and measurement of customer satisfaction (orange): satisfaction measurement, previous experience, positive emotions, and experiences, satisfaction increases loyalty (Singh et al, 2022). Tamasits & Prónay (2011) do not consider satisfaction and loyalty regular, instead, they argue for behavioral loyalty, which triggers simply repeated purchase -complex customer loyalty is to be formed when the customer's attitude towards the brand becomes positive, and they become committed towards it.…”