{"title":"Rethinking perceived destination aesthetic quality: Formative measurement development and validation in the rural tourism context","authors":"Chao Liu , Jing Li , Shankai Mi , Ziang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jdmm.2025.101035","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Destination aesthetics are crucial in attracting and retaining tourists and have received considerable scholarly attention. Previous studies have overlooked the nature of the measurement of destination aesthetics by indiscriminately treating it as a unidimensional or reflective construct per conventional practice. To address this gap, this study develops a multidimensional measurement of Perceived Destination Aesthetic Quality (PDAQ), conceptualizing it as a formative construct. Through rigorous inquiry, a reflective-formative measurement consisting of 18 items and five dimensions—multi-sensory beauty, sublime, harmony, diversity, and cleanliness—is identified. The study tests this measurement within the underexplored rural tourism context and confirms its nomological validity through place attachment theory. The results reveal that perceived destination aesthetic quality significantly enhances place attachment, which mediates its effect on tourists’ post-visit behavioral intentions. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of tourism aesthetics by reconceptualizing its measurement as a formative construct and advancing knowledge of the destination aesthetic qualities, particularly in rural tourism contexts. Additionally, the study provides new insights into the broader effects of destination aesthetics on individual emotional and behavioral outcomes in rural tourism. The practical implications include actionable strategies for stakeholders to design and manage rural tourism destinations with enhanced aesthetic appeal.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48021,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Destination Marketing & Management","volume":"38 ","pages":"Article 101035"},"PeriodicalIF":8.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Destination Marketing & Management","FirstCategoryId":"91","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212571X25000472","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"HOSPITALITY, LEISURE, SPORT & TOURISM","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Destination aesthetics are crucial in attracting and retaining tourists and have received considerable scholarly attention. Previous studies have overlooked the nature of the measurement of destination aesthetics by indiscriminately treating it as a unidimensional or reflective construct per conventional practice. To address this gap, this study develops a multidimensional measurement of Perceived Destination Aesthetic Quality (PDAQ), conceptualizing it as a formative construct. Through rigorous inquiry, a reflective-formative measurement consisting of 18 items and five dimensions—multi-sensory beauty, sublime, harmony, diversity, and cleanliness—is identified. The study tests this measurement within the underexplored rural tourism context and confirms its nomological validity through place attachment theory. The results reveal that perceived destination aesthetic quality significantly enhances place attachment, which mediates its effect on tourists’ post-visit behavioral intentions. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of tourism aesthetics by reconceptualizing its measurement as a formative construct and advancing knowledge of the destination aesthetic qualities, particularly in rural tourism contexts. Additionally, the study provides new insights into the broader effects of destination aesthetics on individual emotional and behavioral outcomes in rural tourism. The practical implications include actionable strategies for stakeholders to design and manage rural tourism destinations with enhanced aesthetic appeal.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Destination Marketing & Management (JDMM) is an international journal that focuses on the study of tourist destinations, specifically their marketing and management. It aims to provide a critical understanding of all aspects of destination marketing and management, considering their unique contexts in terms of policy, planning, economics, geography, and history. The journal seeks to develop a strong theoretical foundation in this field by incorporating knowledge from various disciplinary approaches. Additionally, JDMM aims to promote critical thinking and innovation in destination marketing and management, expand the boundaries of knowledge, and serve as a platform for international idea exchange.