Unlocking the gateway to tourist well-being : the Triple-A model of engagement in tourism experiences

Abstract

Engagement in tourist experiences is essential for destination development. However, how tourist engagement generates positive psychological outcomes, such as tourist well-being, remains underexplored. Consequently, drawing on an interpretivist paradigm, this study conducts in-depth focus groups with 23 tourism professionals to explore the mechanism through which engagement in tourism experiences is enhanced and subsequently influences tourist well-being. Findings indicate three key pull factors (accessible facilities, available information and accomplished services) which enable tourists to negotiate intrapersonal barriers, fostering behavioral, cognitive and emotional engagement in tourism experiences. With the accumulation of multidimensional engagement experiences, tourists reaped enhanced tourist well-being. A Triple-A model is developed from this study to depict the dynamic connection among the pull factors of tourist engagement, intrapersonal barriers negotiation and tourist well-being. Future studies should seek to strengthen emerging empirical evidence which can inform policy intervention designed to demonstrate the efficacy of tourism experiences for enhancing tourist well-being.