This study examines the predicting effect of celebrity involvement on destination authenticity (object-based authenticity and existential authenticity) and hence travel intention in the context of TikTok tourism promotional videos. Data collected from 225 survey respondents indicated that celebrity involvement increases perceived destination authenticities (object-based and existential authenticity) and hence travel intention after watching TikTok celebrity videos. Furthermore, destination authenticities mediate the positive relationship between celebrity involvement and travel intention. The findings contribute to knowledge about social media marketing in tourism literature by blending authenticity theory and celebrity involvement in the context of TikTok celebrity promotions. Meaningful implications are provided for destination marketers.

Background Along with the rapid development of the Internet, the form of destination marketing is becoming increasingly innovative and diverse. Celebrity endorsement via social media, as an effective marketing strategy, has been widely used by various tourism companies to attract and engage with their customers. Previous studies have investigated the various aspects of such endorsement (e.g. the effect of endorser’s attributes) in different contexts (e.g. Hotel, Restaurant, Airline). However, little research has focused on the influence of the tourists’ parasocial relationship with endorsers on destination marketing. Accordingly, the current study aims to explore the role of parasocial relationships on tourists’ destination attitude and visit intention. Method This study adopted quantitative method and conducted Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) for data analysis. 498 valid questionnaires were collected from Weibo (One of China’s most popuar social media platforms). Results Results suggested that endorser’s credibility positively influenced follower’s parasocial relationship (p<0.001), which in turn positively influenced destination attitude and visit intention (p<0.001). Additionally, the parasocial relationship significantly mediated the relationship between credibility and destination attitude as well as visit intention (p<0.001). Conclusion The emerging trend of celerbity endorsement via live-streaming makes tourism destination marketing more diverse and even effective. Through exploring the underlying mechanism of celebrity endorsement, this study can provide destination marketers with insights about how to build and strengthen the tourist’s attitude and visit intention towards destiantion by developing their parasocial relationships with endorsers. This study also adds to the literature of using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) in tourism and hospiatlity research.

The emergence of theme parks is enriching the tourist experience in the COVID-19 period. This study rethinks the impact of theme park image on tourist-perceived value (functional, social, and emotional value) and behavioral intention during COVID-19. Data were collected from 304 respondents who visited Chimelong Ocean Kingdom during COVID-19. This study results indicated that theme park destination image (cognitive and affective) positively predicts tourist-perceived value (functional, social, and emotional) during COVID-19. Moreover, this study also indicated that although social and emotional value positively predict tourist behavioral intention, functional value does not positively predict tourist behavioral intention during COVID-19. Theoretical and managerial implications are presented.

Place attachment has been identified as effective marketing strength to enhance destination competitiveness. However, little research explored the formation mechanism of the place attachment of potential tourists and the role of celebrity endorsers. This study aims to identify the influence mechanism of the credibility of endorsers on place attachment. Various theories from different research fields were introduced to explore the mediating effect of destination attitude, para-social relationships, and destination source credibility between endorser credibility and the place attachment of potential tourists. The famous destination endorser in China, Tenzin, was chosen as the case. A quantitative method was adopted. The research model was examined by a survey sampling size of 367 respondents. The covariance-based structural equation model analysis revealed that the credibility of the endorser exerts a positive influence on the destination attitude of potential tourists, para-social relationship with the endorser, and destination source credibility. These three constructs have a positive effect on their place attachment. The results showed that the credibility of the endorser has a significant indirect influence on place attachment. This study extends the current literature of forming the place attachment of potential tourists from the perspective of the personal characteristics of the destination endorser. The findings shed light on how the credibility of the endorser could form place attachment through enhancing the destination attitude, credibility, and para-social relationships of potential tourists. This study provides several practical implications for destination marketing.

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