The Impact of Smart Tourism Technologies and Destination Image on Tourists’ Intention to Revisit Malaysia: The Mediator Role of Memorable Tourists’ Experiences

The concept of smart tourism technologies (STTs) has emerged as the most crucial element in the tourism industry. Its emergence enables the integration of modern informational tools and tourist resources which in turns offers more valuable information to tourism industry’s stakeholders, in terms of timely data and interconnection. STTs also help mitigate the effects of losses suffered by the tourism sector as a result of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Malaysia’s retails and tourism sectors have been drastically impacted where more businesses have to close as a result of the prolonged pandemic. Therefore, STTs plays a vital role in bolstering up the foundation for all tourism-related goods and services and provides visitors a complete destination experience. However, the studies on smart technology and psychological well-being in tourism are still in its early stages. As the review of literature suggested, more comprehensive research ought to be carried on STTs, destination image (DI), memorable tourist experiences and behaviour intentions. Only a few research has examined memorable visitor experiences as a mediating variable thus far. The current study aims to fill the gap by exploring STTs, DI, memorable visitors’ experiences, and behavioural intents through the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), in order to determine if STTs and DI affect behavioural intentions through mediating factors like memorable tourist experiences. The study employs purposive sampling approach method and a systematic questionnaire using a seven-point Likert scale in gathering quantitative data from Malacca’s Generation Y (Gen Y). The measurement and structural model are evaluated using the Smart PLS 4 version.