Does seeing deviant other-tourist behavior matter? The moderating role of travel companions

Abstract

Despite the contagion effect of deviant behavior in tourism settings, tourist-to-tourist effects have been largely ignored, including the joint impacts between other tourists and tourists’ companions. This study proposes that tourists who see deviant other-tourist behavior have significantly stronger deviant behavioral intentions. A questionnaire survey and four scenario-based experiments were performed to test hypothesized relationships. Findings reveal that the social contagion effect exists when tourists see deviant other-tourist behavior. Larger and more cohesive travel groups attenuate this effect, and moral disengagement mediates the social contagion effect. Theoretical and managerial implications are also discussed.

RAS ID

36968

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

2022

Volume

88

Funding Information

National Natural Science Foundation of China Key Foundation of Hunan Social Science Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Central South University

School

School of Business and Law

Copyright

subscription content

Publisher

Elsevier

Comments

Su, L., Cheng, J., Wen, J., Kozak, M., & Teo, S. (2022). Does seeing deviant other-tourist behavior matter? The moderating role of travel companions. Tourism Management, 88, article 104434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2021.104434

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1016/j.tourman.2021.104434