Experience quality, perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intentions for heritage tourists

This paper examines the visitor experience of heritage tourism and investigates the relationships between the quality of those experiences, perceived value, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions. A total of 447 respondents completed a survey conducted at four main heritage sites in Tainan, Taiwan. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, the results reveal the direct effects of the quality of experience on perceived value and satisfaction. However, it is the indirect and not direct effects of the quality of experience that impact on behavioral intentions when mediated by perceived value and satisfaction. Overall, the relationship experience quality -> perceived value -> satisfaction -> behavioral intentions appears to be evident. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.