Examining the Emotional Impact of Souvenirs on Tourists’ Well-Being Using the Levels of Processing Theory
Publication Date
1-1-2025
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality and Tourism
DOI
10.1080/1528008X.2025.2484573
Abstract
This study, grounded in the levels of processing theory, delves into how souvenirs shape tourists’ emotional experiences and their role in emotional regulation, behavior, and overall well-being within tourism. Through semi-structured interviews, we uncover that souvenirs play a pivotal role in managing emotions and boosting psychological well-being. Emerging themes, such as tangible reminders, narrative triggers, expressive artifacts, emotional catalysts, relaxation tools, and means of identity expression, align with the levels of processing theory. These findings highlight the importance of integrating a wide spectrum of emotions into the design of tourism products and suggest that tailoring product design can enhance the tourism experience. By focusing on the emotional dimensions of souvenirs through the lens of the levels of processing theory, this research offers new insights for both scholars and industry professionals in the design and understanding of the souvenir element of tourism experiences.
Keywords
emotion regulation, emotions, Souvenirs, wellness/well-being, workplace
Department
Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management
Recommended Citation
Jie Gao, Ye Zhang, Mingfang Zhu, and Ting Liu. "Examining the Emotional Impact of Souvenirs on Tourists’ Well-Being Using the Levels of Processing Theory" Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality and Tourism (2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/1528008X.2025.2484573
