This study aims to develop a theoretical model to explore pathways of enhancing film-featured destination choice intention by linking film-related electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) to destination familiarity (DF), destination brand image (DBI) and attitude, filling the gap in exploring the mechanism of film-related eWOM’s influence on film-featured destination choice intention.
The conceptual model and research hypotheses were each assessed using partial least squares-based structural equation modeling. An online survey was implemented to collect data from 511 Vietnamese respondents who watched a film featuring a specific destination and read eWOM about that destination.
Film-related eWOM can boost film-featured destination choice intention by enhancing DF (cognitive pathway), increasing attitude (affective pathway) and strengthening the simultaneous mediating roles of DF, DBI and attitude (hybrid pathways).
Further studies are needed to validate the results in different cultural contexts, considering both negative eWOM and the moderating role of viewers’ age.
This study contributes to the literature on tourism destination marketing by elucidating how film-related eWOM, as an antecedent, vicarious factor, can enhance film-featured destination choice intention by activating DF, DBI and attitude from a serial mediating approach. This study also suggests creative strategies for applying film-related eWOM in destination marketing.
