Cultural Motivation and Behavioral Loyalty : A Modulated Mediation Perspectives of Authenticity of Elderly Tourists in the Upper Northern Region of Thailand
Abstract:
The objectives of this research were (1) to study the influence of cultural motivation on behavioral loyalty of cultural tourism of elderly tourists (2) to investigate the influence of cultural tourism experience and cultural tourism satisfaction of elderly tourists on how to change the relationship between cultural motivation and behavioral loyalty through the authenticity and (3) to study the linkage authenticity on cultural motivation and behavioral loyalty of elderly tourists of cultural tourism in the upper north. The sample consisted of 384 people in 8 provinces in the upper northern region. The researcher used questionnaires to collect quantitative data and used descriptive statistics to find percentages, standard deviation and reliability. The researcher also analyzed inferred statistics with structural equations and influence of variables directed by PROCESS program and used semi-structured interviews and systematic content analysis for qualitative data collection.
The results of structural equations analysis and directed variable influence analyzes found that authenticity influences behavioral loyalty when tourism experiences were low and satisfaction was high. This effect was not unique to authenticity that affected behavioral loyalty only, but also cultural motivation influenced behavioral loyalty through authenticity. It can be concluded that in order for the elderly tourists to be loyal in cultural tourism sites; legends, stories, lifestyles of communities, ties, and cherishes must be created in order to motivate themto visit. In addition, that area must have cultural heritage. That has to be authentic. The link between authenticity and behavioral loyalty was true when elderly tourists had low levels of travel experience that was, less frequent or less frequent travel, and satisfaction was at a high level, and that is, cultural attractions must provide satisfaction in various areas for the elderly tourists; for example, creating good friendliness for tourists, cleanliness of tourist attractions, convenience, safety, delicious food and beautiful scenery including the original identity of each tourist area.
Moreover, the qualitative research found that cultural motivation, authenticity, travel experiences, satisfaction related to behavioral loyalty and supported quantitative research.