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Effect of tourism architecture shape and self-construal

Author

Listed:
  • Cao, Huarui
  • Mu, Lin
  • Mao, Xuejiao
  • Yao, Tang

Abstract

The issue of whether tourists with varying characteristics exhibit distinct preferences for diverse geometric shapes of architecture remains underexplored in tourism literature. To address this gap, we drew on aesthetic distance theory and conducted eye-tracking and scenario-based experiments to examine an effect of tourism architecture shape in alignment with tourist self-construal. Our findings indicated that independent self-construal tourists favor circular-shaped architecture, while interdependent self-construal tourists prefer angular-shaped architecture. Additionally, the results confirmed the mediating role of novelty and highlighted architectural authenticity as a moderator in this effect. These insights enhance our understanding of aesthetic preferences for tourism architecture among tourists with different self-construals and provide practical recommendations for tourism industry to tailor specific architectural shapes to increase tourists' travel intentions.

Suggested Citation

  • Cao, Huarui & Mu, Lin & Mao, Xuejiao & Yao, Tang, 2026. "Effect of tourism architecture shape and self-construal," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:anture:v:116:y:2026:i:c:s0160738325001811
    DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2025.104075
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    References listed on IDEAS

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