Tourism has a significant role in destination development, particularly in rural regions. However, within the context of the highly sensitive nature of rural areas to the ecological, economic, and socio-cultural effects of tourism development, it is important to assess the levels of satisfaction among the residents of rural destinations. The current study aimed to assess the impact of rural tourism development in the Al-Ahsa region, Saudi Arabia on the overall resident satisfaction and three relevant subdomains. The findings revealed that the three tourism development impacts under investigation, including the social, economic and environmental effects, were positively associated with resident overall satisfaction. The three influential developmental categories were also independent predictors of the satisfaction with the quality of life and environment subdomains. National policy makers are required to implement adequate rural tourism development measures and regulations to improve tourism services and activities, which would eventually be reflected in the quality of life of local residents.

The cross-border medical-care industry has recently grown exponentially, and medical-tourism development has been an integral part of the marketing strategies of medical institutions. However, having a successful medical-tourism destination that best attracts customers might be difficult to attain, particularly in the context of scarce relevant literature. Participants’ intentions to revisit a medical-tourism destination is better guided by the interplay of several factors, particularly clinical trust and well-being. The current study aimed to assess the impact of clinical trust and well-being on patients’ intentions to revisit a destination through an online survey on a sample of patients who visited three medical-tourism institutions in Egypt. We investigated also a possible mediation relationship of three institutional variables, including the infrastructure, service quality and the provision of bearable expenses within the hypothesized framework. A structured survey was distributed to medical tourists who visited international medical centers in Cairo city and Red Sea resorts. A partial-least-squares structural-equation-modelling technique was used to validate the used constructs. Results showed that participants’ intention to revisit the destination was significantly predicted by the affordable expenses, medical tourism infrastructure, clinical trust and well-being, but not predicted by service quality. Participants’ well-being fully mediated the relationship between service quality and the intentions to revisit, whereas clinical trust and well-being partially mediated the relationship between the affordable expenses and psychological intentions. Decision makers in the medical-tourism sector might benefit from enhancing tourists’ behavioral intentions via improving patients’ well-being and enhancing clinical trust.

Over the last decade, social media (SM) has dramatically influenced the tourism sector, and information exchange via SM platforms may affect tourists’ intentions to revisit a tourist destination. In the present study, we investigated the impact of content shared on SM on tourists’ intentions to revisit Saudi Arabia as a neighboring destination to Qatar during the period of a mega-event (Football World Cup). We also assessed the potential mediation effects of the perceived values and trust in local tourism services on such a relationship. A structured survey was distributed to football fans who came to visit Saudi Arabia (n = 300), and a partial least squares structural equation model was constructed to validate this study’s model. Results showed that SM content did not significantly impact the revisit intentions directly. SM content was a significant antecedent predictor of the perceived trust, and the perceived trust predicted future intentions to revisit Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the perceived trust in tourism services was a significant mediator of tourism SM’s effects on tourists’ intentions. However, the mediation path of the perceived value was not statistically significant. Tourism marketers had to ensure that they appropriately convey engaging content that focuses on supporting the trust in a destination, particularly during the periods of mega-events.

The burgeoning growth of farm tourism necessitates a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationships between environmental behavior, personal values, and visitor outcomes, emphasizing the imperative for sustainable practices and stewardship within these settings. The current study seeks to develop an integrative model to understand how power conservation and eco-logically aware behavior influence visitors’ ecological vision, sense of responsibility, well-being, and attachment outcomes, encompassing both place and product. Employing a structured questionnaire, data were gathered from farm tourists in Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia, and the structural model was analyzed using regression and mediation analyses to unravel the complex interactions among key variables. Results revealed that power conservation practices significantly contribute to visitors’ sense of responsibility for environmental protection, while ecologically aware behavior predicts a profound ecological vision. However, the structural equation model did not reveal significant mediation effects on well-being. The findings suggest the importance of targeted energy-saving initiatives and experiential activities to enhance ecological awareness. Integrating well-being considerations into sustainability programs and adopting transparent communication strategies can enrich the overall visitor experience, fostering a sustainable and fulfilling form of tourism.

The economic, cultural and environmental benefits of mega-events justify conducting tourism research articles based on tourists’ intention to visit the event destination. These decisions are likely influenced by behavioral attributes and social interaction. In the current study, we assessed potential predictors of tourists’ intention to visit the Riyadh Season using a theory of planned behavior (TPB) model and three variables of social networking service (SNS) variables, including SNS use, SNS content and trip experience sharing (TES). Results showed that the perceived behavioral control and subjective norms were antecedent TPB predictors of participants’ intentions to visit the destination. Additionally, the benefits of SNS content in organizing/planning events were independently associated with behavioral motivations. SNS attributes were not significant moderators of the relationship between subjective norms and tourists’ intentions. National authorities are required to focus on improving the content of SNS while planning for future mega-events to enrich tourists’ experience and support their motivation and decision.

In response to the escalating significance of sustainable tourism and the growing global concern for environmental conservation, the current study sought to investigate the intricate dynamics of two pro-environmental behaviors (biodiversity protection and rational car use), personal values (altruistic, biospheric, and egoistic), farm tourists’ well-being, and environmental and activity attachment among farm tourists in the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. Employing an online survey, our methodology involved partial least structural equation modeling to unravel the complex relationships among these variables. Based on responses retrieved from 309 farm tourists, results revealed that biodiversity protection significantly influenced altruistic values and the well-being of farm tourists. Additionally, rational automobile use exerted positive impacts on both altruistic and biospheric values. These results underscore the intricate dynamics shaping tourists’ attitudes and experiences in the Al-Ahsa region. The study contributes to the broader understanding of sustainable tourism practices, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions. The positive associations identified highlight the potential for farm tourism experiences to enhance both pro-environmental values and the well-being of tourists, thus offering valuable insights for future research and sustainable tourism initiatives.