DETERMINING THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE MEMORABLE NATURE OF TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

This study investigates the effects of travel experiences on the autobiographical memory. A structural equation modeling analysis reveals that the experiential factors of involvement, hedonic activity, and local culture positively affected the autobiographical memory of recollection and vividness of past experiences. Specifically, the experiential factors of involvement and refreshing experiences are found to increase an individual's ability to recollect past travel experiences and retrieve the experiences vividly. Alternatively, the experience of local culture enhances the recollection of past travel experiences, albeit not as vividly. The findings of the present study suggest that marketing efforts used at the anticipation stage of travel experiences are necessary to provide memorable travel experiences. The theoretical and managerial implications of the results obtained are discussed in detail.