The role of emotional experience and destination image on ecotourism satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of the emotional experience (EE) and the image of the tourist destination on the satisfaction of the domestic tourist and his behavioral intentions, represented through the word of mouth (WOM) and his revisit intention. Design/methodology/approach The information obtained through a personal survey to 382 local tourists was refined and subjected to structural equation analysis. Analyses conducted with SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 20 software confirmed the existence of interesting significant relationships. Findings The results show that positive destination image and different experiences are considered to be the main elements that promote positive emotions and satisfaction for tourists, leading to a higher eagerness to spread WOM recommendations and to revisit a destination. The results also verify that interactions with the difficult-replacement services and with residents create strong positive EEs for female visitors, so that they are more willing to revisit a destination than males. Research limitations/implications Eco-destination managers should provide more difficult-replacement services and create an enjoyable and unique experience for tourists to enhance their satisfaction and positive behavioral intentions. Originality/value The results provide some important implications and insights about the marketing theory groundwork of EE and satisfaction, such as how they are to be conceptualized and established and how interactive relationships are formed among them in the ecotourism context.

Satisfaction Factors That Predict Loyalty in Ecotourism: A Study of Foreign Tourism in Costa Rica

“…Additionally, the tourism experience had an indirect effect on loyalty (including destination loyalty and ecotourism loyalty) through the mediating effects of destination image and satisfaction. Along the same lines, scholars Quynh et al [74] analyzed Vietnamese tourists who had visited ecological destinations, and identified that the positive image of the destination and the different experiences are considered the main elements that promote positive emotions and satisfaction in tourists, leading to greater eagerness for spreading WOM recommendations and revisiting a destination.…”

Eco-destination loyalty: Role of perceived value and experience in framing destination attachment and equity with moderating role of destination memory

“…Social scientists continuously explore the characteristics that can influence tourist loyalty, considering the practical implication of destination loyalty. Tourist loyalty studies can be summarized as motivation factors (Suhartanto et al, 2020a ), demographic characteristics (Stojanovic et al, 2017 ), past experiences (Chang et al, 2014 ), destination image (Lee and Xue, 2020 ), service quality (Alexandris et al, 2006 ), perceived quality (Shahijan et al, 2018 ), satisfaction (Quynh et al, 2021 ), and novelty (Chang et al, 2014 ). Based on these antecedents, the researchers have developed numerous theoretical frameworks to understand the formation process of tourist loyalty (Cossío-Silva et al, 2019 ; Lee and Xue, 2020 ; Quoquab et al, 2020 ).…”

“…In the context of ecotourism, experience is defined as the “culmination of a given experience formed by tourist while they are traveling and spending time at a given destination” (Chan and Baum, 2009 ). Quynh et al ( 2021 ) studied the role of experience in the context of emotions and their ability to influence the destination image, consequently affecting the destination satisfaction level. Chan and Baum ( 2009 ) consider the ecotourism experience as hedonic, interactive, novel, comforting, safe, stimulating, and vital in establishing the tourist attachment to the destination.…”

“…The literature depicts that experience is a vital source of tourist satisfaction with the destination (Quynh et al, 2021 ). Li et al ( 2021 ) studied the post-trip destination image and the role of destination satisfaction in forming ecotourism loyalty.…”

“…Literature provides consistent evidence of a significant relationship between tourist destination attachment and their willingness to stay loyal and make revisits (Alexandris et al, 2006 ; Yuksel et al, 2010 ; Prayag and Ryan, 2012 ). Quynh et al ( 2021 ) found that tourist is more likely to make revisit when they are having emotions attached, and the intention to stay loyal is higher when a strong bond exists between the tourist and destination. Prayag and Ryan ( 2012 ) state that tourist is more satisfied if they have prior attachment and affection with the destination, leading to continued loyal behavior in terms of positive word of mouth and peer recommendation.…”