This study aims to develop and test a theoretical model that predicts individuals’ intention to engage in medical tourism. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to test the study hypotheses by using data collected from 246 US residents. The study results indicated that perceived benefits were positively, and perceived barriers negatively, associated with attitude, and perceived barriers had a negative impact on perceived behavioral control. The study results further revealed that attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norm positively influenced individuals’ intention to engage in medical tourism. Finally, a significant moderating effect of perceived severity was found on the relationships between perceived benefits and attitude, perceived barriers and attitude, and attitude and behavioral intention. The findings of the study offer valuable theoretical contributions and practical implications in the context of medical tourism.

Purpose: Applying the value-attitude-behavior (VAB) model, this study investigated how perceived utilitarian and hedonic values (i.e. novelty and emotion) affect individuals' attitudes toward medical hotels and how these attitudes, in turn, influence their intentions to stay at medical hotels. The current study also explored the moderating impact of overall health status on the relationships between perceived utilitarian, novelty and emotional values and attitudes toward medical hotels.Design/methodology/approach: The data collected from 351 individuals who spent a night in a hospital to undergo medical treatment was used in conducting structural equation modeling to evaluate the research model and test the study hypotheses.Findings: The study results revealed that perceived utilitarian, novelty and emotional values exerted a positive influence on individuals’ attitudes toward medical hotels, consequently enhancing their intention to stay. Additionally, significant moderating impacts of overall health status on the associations between perceived utilitarian, novelty and emotional values and attitudes toward medical hotels were observed.Practical implications: The study findings provide useful guidance for professionals, such as operators, marketers and managers in medical hotels. These insights can improve operational and marketing strategies, benefiting both the industry and healthcare accommodation seekers.Originality/value: This study is among the first to empirically assess a theoretical model that explored the influence of individuals' value perceptions within the realm of medical hotel establishments.

This study examined how demographics, past experience, and medical tourism destination familiarity influence Americans’ intention to visit Cuba for medical treatments. The study revealed discrepancies in Americans’ medical travel intention across demographic groups (i.e. age, education, income). The study results also indicated that Americans familiar with Cuba as a medical tourism destination and those with no medical tourism experience are more likely to travel to Cuba for medical treatment. The research findings contribute to the literature by providing insights into medical tourist behavior, incorporating public health and travel components, and offering Cuban policymakers practical implications to attract American patients.

Emotions shape tourists' perceptions, experiences, and attachment to a destination, impacting loyalty. However, limited research has delved into the intricate relationships among these constructs. Based on the M-R Framework (Mehrabian & Russell, 1974), the current study proposed and tested a destination loyalty model that examined tourists' emotional experiences and place identity. This study specifically aimed to explore the influences of love, joy, and positive surprise (as emotions experienced by tourists) on place identity and destination loyalty. Data obtained from 164 international tourists were utilized to examine the conceptual model by employing structural equation modeling. The study outcomes showed that joy and love significantly affected place identity and destination loyalty, and place identity significantly influenced destination loyalty. The study findings deliver important theoretical contributions for researchers by explaining the complex relationships among tourists’ emotional experiences of, their sense of place identity, and loyalty toward a destination. From a practical perspective, the study's results entail various implications for destination policymakers and marketers. For example, exploring how tourists respond to their emotional experiences would assist destination marketers in the development of effective marketing strategies (e.g., segmentation and positioning) to foster loyalty among visitors.

This study aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the decision-making process among older adults regarding leaving their homes and relocating to senior living communities (SLCs) in the United States. Specifically, it explored various aspects of the relocation experience, including the reasons behind their decision to relocate, the factors influencing their choice of destination, and the challenges encountered during the decision-making process. The study’s data were collected from 44 older adults residing in SLCs through five in-depth, semi-structured focus group discussions. The study results revealed that older adults’ decisions to relocate to an SLC were influenced by health-related factors, housing- and property-related factors, family dynamics, and socio-psychological factors. Older adults evaluated environmental and locational factors, facility attractions and amenities, and opportunities for socialization when selecting an SLC for relocation. Additionally, the study identified several barriers faced by older adults, including family-related barriers, economic constraints, socio-psychological barriers, and barriers related to knowledge and information about SLCs.

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to investigate the impacts of familiarity with and awareness of Florida as a snowbird destination, and satisfaction with the snowbird experience on Florida's image and on snowbirds' permanent relocation intention to Florida. Additionally, the influence of Florida's image on snowbirds' behavioral intention to move to Florida permanently was investigated.Design/methodology/approach: Data gathered from 304 snowbirds were utilized in employing structural equation modeling to assess the research model.Findings: The study results showed that awareness of and familiarity with Florida as a snowbird destination, and satisfaction with the snowbird experience significantly influenced participants' image perceptions of Florida. In addition, awareness of and familiarity with Florida as a snowbird destination, and participants' image of Florida had a significant influence on snowbirds' intentions to move to Florida permanently.Practical implications: The findings of the study provide significant insights for destination marketing and management organizations and local policymakers in formulating and enacting policies in snowbird destinations to efficiently address migration trends.Originality/value: This study is one of the first papers to empirically investigate and successfully construct a comprehensive model that explicate the determinants of snowbird tourists' permanent relocation intention.