From interaction to attachment: The mediating role of memorable tourism experiences in revisit intentions

Abstract

The study analyzed how interactions between tourists and residents in Ho Chi Minh City contribute to Memorable Tourism Experiences (MTEs) and promote revisit intentions, based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework. Using 39 in-depth interviews with international tourists, the study explores how social interactions shape emotional connections and influence behavioral intentions. Findings indicate that positive interactions, whether casual or culturally immersive, foster emotional bonding, generate lasting memories, and strengthen the desire to return, while negative encounters reduce this effect. MTEs mediate the link between social interaction and revisit intention by embedding emotional meaning into the tourism experience. These results underscore the importance of incorporating authentic human connections into urban tourism strategies to foster destination loyalty and repeat visitation.