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This study aims to assess the factors that influence consumer attitude towards a destination, and to present a new conceptual framework for further investigation of the role of cognition and metacognition in tourism attitudinal research. Existing research in social psychology has established that three factors influence consumer attitude; amount of thought, valence of thinking and thought confidence. While cognition, amount and valence of thinking, has been studied previously in tourism research, metacognition, measured as thought confidence, is often overlooked in the field. To address this gap, this research note employs the self-validation hypothesis from social psychology to explore consumers' attitudes towards a tourism destination. The findings show metacognition plays a central role in forming destination attitude. Also, valence of thinking has the strongest impact on attitude. This research note contributes to tourism knowledge by exploring the cognitive and metacognitive aspects of attitude formation. In addition, this study adds value by proposing a model to guide future tourism attitudinal research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visitor attitude is fundamental to destination selection in the tourism literature. Yet, there remains a notable dearth of critical reviews to assess the current status of knowledge on the topic. This study, therefore, seeks to map and critically evaluate the state of visitor attitudinal research to set the agenda for future scholarly enquiry. A review of journal articles on the topic in four leading tourism journals was undertaken. To critically explore the literature and identify research trends, a paradigm funnel approach was used. The findings demonstrate that most studies on the topic are based on empirical research and specific theories, most notably the contact model and theory of planned behaviour. However, few publications apply analytical methods and innovative ontological and epistemological approaches. This paper provides recommendations for future studies to advance visitor attitudinal research, advocating for the use of innovative methods and theoretical approaches in parent sub-disciplines, particularly psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior self-validation hypothesis studies suggest that an individual's attitude toward advertising is affected by the cognitive processing of the message and the valence of emotion. Yet, the effect of emotional arousal and stimulus credibility on attitudes toward a destination has not been discerned. This study employs the self-validation hypothesis to investigate the effect of the three dimensions of thinking on attitudes toward Iran. Participants (N = 416) were randomly assigned to a two (high vs. low arousal) × two (high vs. low source credibility) experiment. The partial least squares multigroup analysis results indicated that the emotionally arousing stimulus led to a greater influence of the amount and confidence of thought on attitudes. The effect of the amount of thought on attitude was greater in response to a credible stimulus. This research advances knowledge by revealing that emotional arousal has a significant positive impact on three dimensions of thinking and positive attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Destination image is considered one of the most researched topics in tourism. Studies have focused on how image formation agents can be leveraged to shape the image of a destination, with research on social media emerging in prominence. Despite this growth, limited research has focused on the confluence of viral marketing, profanity and destination image, especially among young social media savvy users. Consequently, the aim of this article is to explore how a viral marketing campaign incorporating profanity impacts on the cognitive, affective and conative components of destination image. An unofficial viral social media campaign in Australia was selected as a case study. Findings revealed attitudes were overwhelmingly positive towards the viral campaign. Profanity was considered by the respondents as a novel technique for stimulating destination awareness. Although profanity stimulated awareness, and the use of profanity reinforced a stereotypical image, there was negligible evidence of transfer to intention to travel. A conceptual model of destination image reinforcement is articulated. Future studies need to consider the benefits and risks of profanity in a social media campaign and the subsequent implications for destination image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the advent of the experience economy, conceptualisations of authenticity are often both perplexing and uncertain. This paper argues for a nuanced understanding of the multi-dimensional nature of authenticity of restaurant experiences from the production perspective. It does this by proposing a framework to produce authenticity using the interrelationships of three fundamental elements of a restaurant experience, the Consumer, the Provider, and the Experience, and by discussing the consumers' experiential outcomes resulting from such interrelationships. By applying the interrelationships to reconceptualise the existing authenticity approaches in tourism and hospitality contexts, this paper suggests that direct interaction between the provider and the consumer can enhance authenticity of restaurant experiences. As a result, incorporating such direct interaction supports the multi-dimensional approach to authenticity in restaurants. The three outcomes resulting from the interrelationships can further strengthen perceptions of authenticity in restaurant experiences. The paper offers both theoretical and practical insights which advance the production of authenticity in restaurants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]