Sep 2026· Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites· 0 citations
Abstract
Religious tourism has emerged as a significant sector within global tourism, influencing visitor behavior, destination
development, and spiritual experiences. Jordan, which is home to several Christian holy sites recognized by the Vatican in
2000, is quite important in terms of pilgrimage, but from a practical perspective, it has still not been fully studied.
Understanding the factors that affect visitors' satisfaction and their intention to revisit is crucial for the maintenance of
religious tourism sites. This study aims to analyze the behavior of visitors within the scope of religious tourism at five
Christian holy sites in Jordan recognized by the Vatican. Specifically, it examines the relationships between travel motivati on,
religious tourism experience, religious tourism potential, perceived challenges, overall satisfaction, and re-tourism intention.
Data were collected from 500 visitors using a convenience sampling technique. The study employed Smart PLS 4 software to
analyze the data through partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The proposed hypotheses were tested
to assess direct, mediating, and moderating relationships among the study variables. The findings reveal significant
relationships among the examined constructs. Visit motivation has a strong positive influence on re-tourism intention. Religious
tourism experience and overall satisfaction act as significant mediators in this relationship. Furthermore, religious tourism
potential and perceived challenges moderate the effect of visit motivation on re-tourism intention. The study advances religious
tourism theory by integrating motivational, experiential, and contextual factors within a single framework. Practically, the
findings provide valuable insights for Jordanian tourism authorities and destination stakeholders to enhance visitor experiences,
address challenges, and strengthen the sustainability of religious tourism in the region.
True fulfillment of the journey to faith, culture and harmony lies in visiting sacred and religious destinations. Our research explores the factors that influence tourists' intentions to visit religious destinations.
We applied structural equation modeling (SEM) to augment the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and self-determination theory (SDT) frameworks in the context of religious tourism in India. We analyzed the intentions of 670 tourists who visited the selected religious sites, exploring direct and indirect relationships within the proposed model using mediation and moderation analyses.
Our findings reveal that tourists' attitudes toward religious tourism are positively influenced by self-determination, beliefs, and social influence, which strengthens their intentions to visit religious destinations. The linkage between tourists' attitudes toward religious tourism and their intentions to visit religious destinations is further strengthened by natural and cultural characteristics, but is diminished by opportunistic behavior.
The research findings can help prospective tourists, local businesses, municipal corporations, policymakers, and tourism managers in understanding the dynamics of religious tourism.
Prior studies have not adequately explored the dimensions of government initiatives, social influence, and opportunistic behavior in religious tourism, underscoring the need for a thorough investigation. This study incorporates these constructs by extending the ELM and SDT frameworks. Furthermore, it examines how natural and cultural characteristics, along with opportunistic behavior, moderate the relationship between tourists' attitudes toward religious tourism and their intentions to visit religious destinations.
Peu Saha, Abhijeet Biswas· Management Decision· 0 citations
This study aims to analyze the influence of destination attributes, escapism, and authenticity on place attachment and memorable tourism experience, and to examine the mediating role of place attachment on revisit intention. This study was conducted on tourists visiting leading destinations in Sumatra Province, such as the Toba Caldera Geopark and the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra. Data were collected through a survey of 300 respondents chosen by purposive sampling and analyzed using a quantitative approach with partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS 3.0. The results show that destination attributes, escapism, and authenticity have a positive and significant effect on place attachment and memorable tourism experience. In addition, place attachment is proven to mediate the relationship between these three variables and revisit intention. These findings confirm that tourists’ emotional attachment to a destination plays a significant role in driving revisit intention. Theoretically, this study broadens the understanding of the relationship between tourist psychological factors and post-tourism behavior in the context of nature and cultural tourism in Indonesia. Practically, the results of this study provide implications for destination managers to strengthen the elements of authenticity, experience quality, and emotional value of destinations to build sustainable tourism.
Indawati Lestari, Wan Suryani· Asian Management and Busines...· 0 citations
The increasing shift toward experiential tourism highlights the importance of understanding how sensory elements influence tourists’ perceptions and behavioral intentions, particularly in village-based destinations that emphasize authenticity and immersion. This study aims to examine the roles of sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch in shaping memorable tourism experiences and influencing revisit intention in tourism villages in East Java, Indonesia. The population of this study consisted of tourists who had visited selected tourism villages in East Java, and data were collected from 300 respondents using an online questionnaire. A purposive sampling technique was applied to select visitors who had experienced one of the identified tourism villages within the previous two years. The proposed relationships were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), including measurement model assessment to evaluate reliability and validity, followed by structural model evaluation and mediation analysis through bootstrapping. The findings indicate that auditory and tactile dimensions have the strongest influence on the formation of memorable tourism experiences, followed by visual and taste-related dimensions, while olfactory factors do not demonstrate a significant effect on either memorable tourism experiences or revisit intention. These results suggest that sensory elements involving stronger visitor engagement, particularly sound and touch through natural soundscapes, traditional music, and hands-on cultural activities, are more effective in creating lasting impressions, while visual and taste-related elements play a supportive role in shaping tourists’ overall experience. From a practical perspective, this study highlights the importance for destination managers and local tourism stakeholders to prioritize the development of sensory-rich offerings that emphasize sound and touch in order to enhance destination appeal and encourage repeat visits. Theoretically, this research contributes to the multisensory tourism literature by clarifying the relative importance of sensory dimensions in shaping meaningful tourism experiences within village-based and experience-oriented destinations.
S. Soebandhi, Kristiningsih Kristiningsih, Adrianto Trimarjono et al.· Asian Management and Busines...· 0 citations
This study examines the influence of tourists' intercultural communication, tourism destination marketing methods, and visitors' individual cultural experiences on tourist satisfaction and loyalty in the Guangxi region of China. A total of 593 valid visitors completed questionnaires to engage in the study, and researchers utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate the research hypotheses. The results indicate that travelers' intercultural contact, efficient marketing tactics for tourism destinations, and individual cultural experiences substantially improve visitor pleasure. Furthermore, tourist satisfaction significantly mediates the impact of intercultural communication, marketing methods, and individual cultural experiences on visitor loyalty. This underscores the interdependence of these aspects and stresses the necessity of crafting a whole experience for visitors. The findings highlight the importance of cultivating internal psychological resources, including cultural knowledge and flexibility, to enhance the institutional support techniques offered by tourist stakeholders. This study also makes a substantial contribution toward expanding cognitive dissonance theory. It has pragmatic consequences for governmental and tourist enterprises seeking to improve the experiences of both domestic and foreign travelers. As the tourism sector evolves, comprehending these dynamics will be crucial for formulating successful marketing strategies that appeal to varied tourist demographics, assuring sustained growth and competitiveness in the global tourism market.
Xiaoping Qin, Nitipon Putachote, Junaidi Junaidi· Journal of ethnic and cultur...· 0 citations
This study investigates whether tourism provisions aligned with Islamic principles shape Muslim travelers’ willingness to select a nature-based destination. Visitors’ overall perception of the place was positioned as a mediating mechanism, whereas personal religiosity was examined as a boundary condition. The investigation took place at Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and involved Muslim travelers who had previously visited the site. Using an explanatory quantitative approach, survey responses were obtained from 235 participants selected through purposive criteria. SmartPLS 4 was used to estimate a partial least squares structural equation model. The empirical evidence reveals no significant direct pathway between Muslim-friendly tourism provisions and travelers’ future visitation willingness. However, faith-sensitive facilities and services improve visitors’ overall evaluation of the location, which subsequently increases their likelihood of choosing it. Indirect-effect testing shows that perceptions of the site connect Muslim-oriented attributes with travel willingness. Moreover, this relationship becomes stronger among individuals with higher religious commitment, confirming religiosity’s conditional role. Overall, Muslim travelers appear to respond less to the mere presence of Islamic-oriented facilities than to the favorable impressions generated through them. These findings extend Muslim-oriented tourism literature and offer destination administrators practical considerations for strengthening services, destination management, and public perceptions.
Alfadhila Taufani, B. Suryawardani, Laksmi Saraswati Hadiansyah· Dinasti International Journa...· 0 citations
This study examines the effect of cultural attractions on tourist satisfaction and its subsequent impact on tourist loyalty. It also investigates differences between first-time and repeat visitors using a multi-group analysis approach. Data were collected from tourists visiting Malioboro, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, using a self-administered questionnaire and a convenience sampling technique. The study employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), along with Measurement Invariance of Composite Models (MICOM) and Multi-Group Analysis (MGA). The results reveal that cultural attractions significantly influence tourist satisfaction, which in turn strongly affects tourist loyalty. However, other destination attributes, such as general attractions, heritage attractions, and supporting facilities, do not show significant effects on satisfaction. Furthermore, the findings indicate significant differences between first-time and repeat visitors in the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty. This study contributes to the cultural tourism literature by highlighting the critical role of cultural attractions in enhancing visitor satisfaction and encouraging revisit intentions. The results also provide managerial implications for destination managers in developing effective cultural tourism strategies.
Rio Dhani Laksana, Intan Shaferi, Juni Supriyanto· Proceedings of the Internati...· 0 citations
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