The effect of tourist-to-tourist interaction on life satisfaction : a mediation role of social connectedness

Abstract

This study examines the general relationship between tourists’ park visits and life satisfaction. Specifically, the article focuses on relationships between verbal and nonverbal and positive and negative tourist-to-tourist interactions, social connectedness, and life satisfaction. Results show that friendly conversation has significant positive relationships with life satisfaction and social connectedness, whereas unfriendly behavior is negatively related to social connectedness. Social connectedness has a significant positive relationship with life satisfaction and plays a mediating role between tourist-to-tourist interaction and life satisfaction. By exploring several types of tourist-to-tourist interaction, this study offers insights into tourist-to-tourist interaction and life satisfaction under a pandemic context.