Tourism Review

Li, Guangqin; Pu, Kangyun

2023 Tourism Review

doi: 10.1108/tr-03-2022-0163

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the correlation and mechanism between international students and inbound tourism.Design/methodology/approachTaking 269 prefecture-level cities in China as a sample, bringing international students and inbound tourism into the same analytical framework, the paper applies the fixed-effects model, instrumental variables model and mediating effects model to investigate the impact of international students on inbound tourism.FindingsInternational students significantly contribute to the increase in inbound tourists and tourism revenue in China, which remain valid after a series of robustness tests. When the relocation data of Chinese urban universities and faculties in the 1950s are used as an instrumental variable for the potential endogenous problems of international students, the results are still valid. Heterogeneity research shows that the impact of international students on inbound tourism has heterogeneous effects in different regions. In addition, the mechanism analysis shows that international students promote China’s inbound tourism mainly through two channels: the economic growth effect and the human capital effect.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper provides evidence of the correlation between international students and inbound tourism in developing countries. However, as the data for the study are all from China, caution should be taken when applying the findings of this paper to other regions.Practical implicationsThis paper provides evidence on the causal relationship between international students and inbound tourism in developing countries. However, as the data for the study are all from China, caution should be taken when applying the findings of this paper to other regions.Social implicationsThis paper creatively finds out the instrumental variables of international students with academic education to deal with the potential endogenous problems, and then identifies the causal relationship between international students and inbound tourism.Originality/valueThis paper creatively finds out the instrumental variables of international students to deal with the potential endogenous problems and then identifies the correlation between international students and inbound tourism.

Cui, Rui

2023 Tourism Review

doi: 10.1108/tr-06-2022-0268

Restorative experiences relieve fatigue or stress, leading people to feel more energetic. Activation theory and the nature–dose framework hold travel duration as a crucial influence on restorative effects, yet these factors may not demonstrate a simple linear relationship. This paper, thus, aims to explore the relationship between travel duration and restoration based on a survey conducted during a seven-day holiday (the longitudinal data spanned two months); and explore the reasons for this relationship and the mechanisms for lasting restorative effects based on diary analysis.Design/methodology/approachMixed methods were used in this study. Questionnaires regarding restorative effects were administered to 232 people at six time points before, during and after a holiday. Participants were also asked to keep a diary during their trips. Data were first tested for common method bias and were then processed via independent sample t-tests, analysis of variance and time-series analysis.FindingsRestorative effects were consistently higher in the travel group than in the non-travel group. Additionally, an inverted U-shaped relationship emerged between travel duration and the restorative effects of a holiday; a moderate duration had stronger restorative effects than a duration that was too long or too short. More importantly, the study found that participants who traveled for a moderate duration (longer or shorter) engaged in non-judgmental challenging (relaxing) activities at least once. They also demonstrated greater eudaimonism (hedonism) and stronger, more sustained restoration versus the original set point. In addition, results revealed how travel activities, emotions, moderators and restorative effects were constructed.Originality/valueLongitudinal data indicated an inverted U-shaped relationship between travel duration and restoration. Achieving lasting restorative effects requires effort and non-judgmental challenging activities for a moderate travel duration and frequency. The study uncovered mechanisms influencing the relationship between travel experiences and restorative effects. The results offer guidance for research on “travel prescriptions” and for the health and stress relief market.Visual abstractInverted U-shaped curve for different travel durations and restorative effects at T3.The non-judgmental challenging group showed lasting and stronger restorative effects over the next two months.

Rao, Yun; Lai, Ivan Ka Wai

2023 Tourism Review

doi: 10.1108/tr-08-2022-0391

This study aims to understand the bi-directional relationship between residents’ perceived community-oriented factors and residents’ emotional solidarity with tourists. It compares the mutual influences between the human–place relationship and the resident–tourist relationship.Design/methodology/approachA research model with two arrows was constructed, presenting two sets of research hypotheses. Hypothesis A formalizes the effect of community-oriented factors on emotional solidarity, while Hypothesis B formalizes the effect of emotional solidarity on community-oriented factors. Using systematic sampling, this study received 462 valid questionnaires in Macau. These samples were used in confirmation factor analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis.FindingsIn the one-way influence of community-oriented factors on emotional solidarity, residents’ community attachment, commitment and involvement have the greatest effect, respectively, on their welcoming nature, sympathetic understanding and emotional closeness to tourists. In the one-way influence of emotional solidarity on community-oriented factors, residents’ welcoming nature to tourists has the greatest impact on community attachment and commitment while residents’ emotional closeness has the greatest impact on community involvement. Besides, the impact of community-oriented factors on emotional solidarity has stronger explanatory power than the impact of emotional solidarity on community-oriented factors.Originality/valueContrary to most tourism studies on residents’ perspectives that only focus on one-way influence, this study suggested a dual-way approach that helps researchers further build complex models to better explain the complex relationships between places, residents and tourists. Furthermore, this study provides a contribution to tourism research on emotional solidarity by clarifying the flexible roles of community-oriented factors on residents’ emotional solidarity.

Yang, Ting-Ting; Ruan, Wen-Qi; Li, Yong-Quan; Zhang, Shu-Ning

2023 Tourism Review

doi: 10.1108/tr-07-2022-0331

Virtual tourism has become popular in recent years. However, there is still a research gap on virtual tourist motivation. This study aims to identify virtual tourist motivation and explore the relationship between virtual tourism and on-site tourism.Design/methodology/approachThis research identifies virtual tourist motivation based on Means-end chain (MEC) theory. Laddering interviews with 32 respondents were conducted to construct a hierarchical value map. Additionally, a motivation analysis of virtual tourism and on-site tourism was developed based on a review of the relevant literature.FindingsThis exploratory study revealed 12 attributes, 9 results and 4 values that virtual tourists wish to achieve and identified 5 means-end chains where self-satisfaction is the most important value-led motivation. Compared with on-site tourism motivations, virtual tourism shows possibilities of replacing, complementing and extending on-site tourism under certain circumstances. However, it significantly depends on whether tourists are attracted by the technical characteristics, security and experience conditions of virtual tourism.Originality/valueThis study contributes to understanding virtual tourist motivation and offers motivation-based insights into the relationship between virtual and on-site tourism. Managerial implications on how to attract potential online tourists are also provided.

Florido-Benítez, Lázaro

2023 Tourism Review

doi: 10.1108/tr-11-2022-0537

The aim of this paper is to analyze the interrelationship between film-induced tourism and visits to theme parks by tourists and examine the most viewed movies worldwide (2010–2022) which are related with theme parks and their attractions.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used in this study is a set of qualitative and quantitative indicators for measuring the most visited theme parks worldwide and the most viewed movies that have allowed to answer the research questions.FindingsThis research provides a new contribution to tourism and entertainment industries. Results have shown that film-induced tourism can be the perfect marketing tool to attract more tourists to theme parks through movies and their real or fictional characters represented in films such as Marvel, Minions, Avatar, Harry Potter and Disney, amongst many others. These famous characters are part of theme park’s rides to attract tourists to visit film theme parks These rides allow users to travel in a fantasy experience and interact with film characters of cartoons or fictions. There is a high correlation between film-induced tourism and theme parks’ attractions. Film-induced tourism provides great benefits to the society, theme parks, cinemas and tourist destinations. Indeed, movies help to increase the number of visitors to theme parks. In 2019, 215 million people visited the top 20 theme parks worldwide analyzed in this study, this figure is quite lucrative to entertainment and tourism sectors, local and regional economies where these theme parks are localized.Originality/valueThis study presents the importance of theme parks at tourist destinations because theme parks are an extension of movies, thus is, the end of the physical perfect experience at theme parks which began in a movie seat or on your TV/videogame/PC screens.

Zhou, Gefen; Chen, Wenkuan

2023 Tourism Review

doi: 10.1108/tr-11-2022-0539

Value cocreation has become an important way to enhance the brand equity of a tourism destination. Different from common tourism contexts, agritourism has strong participatory and productive characteristics and is regarded as a critical platform of value cocreation. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the relationship between agritourism experience value cocreation and brand equity of rural tourism destinations from the perspective of tourists.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was conducted, and 602 valid questionnaires were collected by a random sample in 2021. Structural equation modeling was used to empirically analyze the data.FindingsThe results revealed that tourists’ participation, interaction and citizenship behaviors play a critical role in brand equity of rural tourism destinations. Meanwhile, tourists’ interaction and citizenship behaviors influenced brand equity of rural tourism destinations, via hedonic enjoyment and eudaimonia experience, and perceived experience value. Tourists’ participation behavior influenced brand equity of rural tourism destinations via hedonic enjoyment experience and perceived experience value.Originality/valueThis study focusing on agritourism as a critical platform of value cocreation explores the impact of agritourism experience value cocreation on brand equity of rural tourism destinations from the perspective of tourists. It enriches the existing literature on the relationship between value cocreation and brand equity of tourism destination, expands the research on value cocreation and happiness experience and also provides management basis for promoting brand equity of rural tourism destinations.

Fazili, Asif Iqbal; Charag, Asif Hamid; Bashir, Irfan; Alshiha, Ahmed Abdulaziz; Sofi, Maraj Rahman

2023 Tourism Review

doi: 10.1108/tr-04-2022-0177

This study aims to extend the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to develop finer understanding about tourist’s attitude and intention towards visiting a politically unstable and conflict-ridden destination such as Kashmir.Design/methodology/approachA research instrument adapted from previous studies is administered on 490 tourists. The data collected is subjected to exploratory factor analysis followed by structural equation modelling using SPSS and AMOS. The study tests and validates a more robust behavioural prediction model grounded on the TPB.FindingsThe results of the study found that the tourists’ destination choice intention in a politically sensitive area such as Jammu and Kashmir is collectively determined by perceived destination attractiveness, perceived destination image, familiarity with place, media exposure and perceived value. However, quite interestingly, perceived risk and attitude were found to be insignificant determinants of choice intentionality.Research limitations/implicationsThe study empirically validates extended TPB to predict tourist behaviour in a politically sensitive setting. Furthermore, the study provides vital inputs to the destination managers, policy makers and practitioners to develop strategies to enhance destination image and attractiveness. Although the study provides critical insights into the tourist’s decision-making process, nonetheless, certain limitations, such as restricted geographical approach, convenience sampling and ignoring the inter-group variations, warrant attention.Originality/valueThe study is essentially a pioneering effort in applying an integrated TPB model in determining destination choice intentionality in a politically sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir. The region has the potential to be one of the best destinations in the world. Therefore, studying the tourist perceptions and attitudes and intention towards Kashmir could help the local government and other destination management organizations in charting future courses of action.