Do informal gatherings with members in group leisure sports increase satisfaction and sustainable participation? The purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating role of informal gatherings with regard to self-determined motivation (SDM), leisure satisfaction (LS), and intention to participate sustainably (INPS) in the context of group leisure sports. An empirical analysis of a sample of 423 adults participating in group leisure sports was conducted. Structural equation modeling revealed that SDM exerted a statistically significant impact on LS, and, in turn, LS was conducive to INPS. The multigroup analysis indicated that informal gatherings played a significant moderating role in the relationship between non-self-determined extrinsic motivation and LS. Certain sociodemographic characteristics and sports participation behavior were ascertained as control variables. This study theoretically contributes to the expansion of self-determination theory, affirming the effect of informal gatherings as a unique variable and suggesting practical implications for sustainable leisure participation.

This study aimed to (1) investigate whether face consciousness (or chemyon) and playfulness affect tourist behaviour and tourist satisfaction at a festival event from a South Korean perspective and (2) identify the moderating effects of both the frequency of visits and overnight trips. Structural equation modelling was conducted with a sample of 506 adults. The outcomes indicated that face consciousness and playfulness positively influenced tourist behaviour at festival events. In turn, these impacts were conducive to tourist satisfaction. However, the results were either positive or negative depending on specific tourist behaviour. Moreover, revisit travellers and overnight travellers exerted significant moderating impacts between certain paths. The integrative model can provide objective data for destination marketers and event organisers to support the enhancement of festival events in the post-COVID-19 era. The originality of this study lies in the initial attempt to adapt face consciousness to amalgamate tourist behaviour at festival events.