Do football fans care about destinations? The football fans’ travel motivation to sports events and their post-travel behaviours

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationships amongst football fans’ travel motivations (FFTMs), their satisfaction (SAT), their perceived destination image (PDI) and their behavioural intentions (BIs). On the other hand, the mediating effects of SAT on the relationships among FFTMs, PDI and BIs are analyzed. Design/methodology/approach An approach based on a quantitative research method was used, and the data were gathered from Italian and British tourists who visited Istanbul, aiming to attend the Champions League Final match of Manchester City versus Inter Milan. Findings Based on 277 applicable surveys, Smart-PLS was conducted to test the conceptual model. The results indicated positive and meaningful relationships amongst FFTMs, SAT, PDI and Bis. Moreover, the results also demonstrated that the effect of FFTMs and PDI on BIs is mediated by SAT. Originality/value This research makes a contribution to the football tourism literature by first examining the theory of planned behaviour in conjunction with FFTMs, SAT, PDI and BIs. Furthermore, the findings of this study could offer valuable insights to assist tourism marketers in gaining a deeper understanding of FFTMs, BIs, SAT and PDI.