Understanding the Relationships between Tourists’ Emotional Experiences, Perceived Overall Image, Satisfaction, and Intention to Recommend

TLDR

The study empirically tests an integrative model linking tourists’ emotional experiences, perceived overall image, satisfaction, and intention to recommend, and expands current theories by examining the role of emotions in tourist behavior. The model was tested with data from domestic tourists visiting Sardinia, Italy. Tourists’ emotional experiences predict perceived overall image and satisfaction, and overall image positively influences satisfaction and intention to recommend, offering practical implications for destination marketers.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to empirically test an integrative model linking tourists’ emotional experiences, perceived overall image, satisfaction, and intention to recommend. The model was tested using data collected from domestic tourists visiting Sardinia, Italy. Results show that tourists’ emotional experiences act as antecedents of perceived overall image and satisfaction evaluations. In addition, overall image has a positive influence on tourist satisfaction and intention to recommend. The study expands current theorizations by examining the merits of emotions in tourist behavior models. From a practical perspective, the study offers important implications for destination marketers.