Travel for Affection: A Stimulus-Organism-Response Model of Honeymoon Tourism Experiences

Abstract

Taking stimuli-organism-response theory as a conceptual framework, this study advances theoretical understanding of the honeymoon tourism experience (HTE) by examining its empirical linkages with key constructs underlying the wider nomological network within which it is situated, including perceived destination attributes (PDAs), memorable tourism experiences (MTEs), emotions, overall satisfaction, and behavioral intentions. We adopted a sequential mixed-methods approach, in which a qualitative phase was followed by a quantitative phase of data collection and analysis (Study 1, n = 117; Study 2, n = 306). The results of partial least square path modeling revealed how PDAs drive honeymooners’ emotions and MTEs. Honeymooners’ emotions and MTEs were found to significantly influence their overall satisfaction, which further influenced their behavioral intentions. Mediation analysis highlighted emotions, MTEs, and overall satisfaction as significant mediators, suggesting their pertinence as factors in HTE. This study contributes to the literature by developing and testing a theoretically holistic model underlying HTE.