Smart tourism technology, a boon or a bane for event tourism? In the context of Kochi Muziris Biennale

Abstract

This study intends to investigate how smart tourism technology usage helps in creating memorable experiences during a visit and whether it leads to building a positive image toward the destination, creating future intentions to revisit and recommend to others. The study is conducted in the context of Kochi Muziris Biennale. Data was collected through questionnaires from a total of 221 event participants. The study has applied PLS-SEM to test the research model with the help of SmartPLS4. The results reveal that smart tourism technology leads to creating memorable experiences, and the memorable experience mediates the enhancement of destination image and revisit intentions. It shows that smart tourism technology is not solely creating an impression on the destination but it is a factor in building the same. The study provides practical and theoretical implications to the literature of event tourism.

Keywords:

• Biennale
• destination image
• event tourism
• PLS-SEM
• smart tourism technology

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.