Based on the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) framework, geographical imagination theory and Dewey’s experience theory, this study aims to constructed a research model to explore the relationship between geographical imagination, aesthetic experience and destination love.
This study adopted a mixed method. Qualitative data were collected through 25 personal interviews, and then two questionnaire surveys were conducted to validate the scale and test the research model using AMOS.
The results show that geographical imagination includes three dimensions: characters, landscapes and tourism services. In addition, aesthetic experience plays a mediating role in the influence of the three dimensions of geographical imagination on destination love.
This study not only enriches the application of the concept of geographical imagination in social media tourism research but also expands the method for measuring the destination aesthetic experience. In addition, recommendations were provided for destination marketers in the production of short travel videos.
