Visiting natural disaster sites as transformational experiences

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate the perceived benefits arising from tourist activities at natural disaster sites, to analyze the influence of perceived benefits on satisfaction and behavioral intentions and to identify origin region’s moderating role. Design/methodology/approach A research model containing dark tourism motivations (DTMs), tourist perceived benefits (TPBs), tourist satisfaction (TS), protection intention (PI) and loyalty intention (LIs) was developed, and visitor origin was introduced as a moderating variable. Taking the 5·12 Wenchuan Earthquake Memorial Museum as a case site, data were obtained by distributing questionnaires on-site, and the model was tested using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings DTMs had a significant effect on cognitive and affective benefits, and TPBs significantly affected TS, PI and LIs, with satisfaction playing a partial mediating role. The origins of tourists showed a moderating role in part of the influence relationship of perceived benefits. Practical implications This study explored the perceived benefits among dark tourists and built a research model of their influence on tourist satisfaction and behavior. This study not only provides suggestions for managers related to dark tourism development in natural disaster areas, but also offers the possibility of enhancing tourist dark tourism experiences by interpreting the psychology and behavior of dark tourists. Originality/value This research adopted a new perspective of the decision-making behavior of dark tourists. The perceived benefits arising from visiting natural disaster sites were analyzed and the relationships between TBSs and motivation, TS, PI and LIs were examined. Considering the specificity of dark tourism emotions, the research also analyzed the similarities and differences in the psychology and behavior of locals and non-locals in dark tourism. The research results enrich and deepen the theoretical study of dark tourism.

Dark Tourism Destination Sustainability: Assessing Visitors’ Motivation and Experience towards Disaster Sites in Malaysia

“…Tourists understood the emotions of others and appreciated the lessons learned. Aligned with Hwang et al (2022) and Wang et al (2023), this research also revealed that the tourists embodied and transformed their emotions through their visiting experiences in the dark tourism sites.…”

“…Lewis et al (2022) considered that personal beliefs matter more than outside influence from others. Wang et al (2023) empirically found that tourist's perspectives and attitudes towards ruins sites, which the results showed that disaster memorials' perception positively influences the positive evaluation of dark tourism. Fabros et al (2023) identified seven tourist motivations for visiting dark tourism sites that have emerged in the study: education, remembrance, sightseeing, recreation, family bonding, curiosity, and event venue.…”

“…Dark tourism studies revealed that visiting dark tourism influences transformational emotional experiences and behaviour within a person (Wang et al, 2023). Tourists' emotional experience has multiple dimensions, including the physical environment, safety and security, service quality, customer service, and the overall experience (Hosany et al, 2020).…”

Tour guides’ self-efficacy and resilience capability building through sharing economy platforms

“…2.3.1 Dynamic capability in the context of tourism. Dynamic capability theory has been widely applied in the field of tourism, with research covering three main areas: managing crises and disasters, influencing factors of dynamic capability and the relationship between dynamic capability and enterprise (tourism destination) performance, competitiveness and knowledge innovation (Wang et al, 2023). Facing the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry, dynamic capability enables tourism organizations to respond to disruptive environmental changes through conventional transformation, resource allocation and utilization processes (Jiang et al, 2021a).…”

Nature-inspired awe toward tourists’ environmentally responsible behavior intention

“…This study examined the awe inspired by nature, but other stimuli such as historical, cultural, or religious resources and environments can also trigger awe (Keltner and Haidt, 2003). In particular, Wang et al (2023) considered visiting dark tourism destinations a transformational experience. It implies the possibility of evoking awe through "dark elicitors" (e.g.…”