The mediating effect of novelty-seeking tendencies in tourists’ revisit intention: a case from Singapore

Abstract

Research in tourism management has focused on perceived value, satisfaction, destination image and revisit intention of tourists. These concepts tend to show a link that enable tourists make decision on revisiting a destination. However, a gap exists in the significant tendency approach which stands out to show novelty and the sought for satisfaction as well as the perceived value coupled with the image of the destination. This study intends to address these gaps by extending previous research providing novelty-seeking tendencies as mediating role between perceived value; satisfaction and destination image for tourist revisit intention with a focus on Singapore. The study adopts a survey approach and sample was selected from tourists at a major tourist destination in HarbourFront Centre in Singapore. A 2-part, 27-item survey instrument was distributed to a convenient sample of 377 respondents out of which 324 responses met the requirement of the study based on a lower age limit of 18 years. Four (4) main hypotheses were tested using SmartPLS 2.0 and descriptive analysis with SPSS version 20. Findings show significant effect of perceived value, satisfaction and destination image on novelty-seeking tendencies. Further findings show that though perceived value, satisfaction and destination image has no direct relationship with tourist revisit intention, they have an indirect relationship in mediating with novelty-seeking tendencies. Satisfaction stands out as a concept in direct relationship with revisit intention. We conclude that novelty-seeking mediates the relationship between perceived value and destination image to revisit intention even though there is no mediation found on novelty-seeking tendencies between satisfaction and revisit intention. Theoretical and practical implications for general tourism management and specific implications for Singapore tourism management was provided in addition to recommendations for future research.