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Exploring the Relationship Between Motivations, Satisfaction, and Loyalty: Insights from the Galápagos Islands, a World Heritage Site

Author

Listed:
  • Mauricio Carvache-Franco

    (Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador, Campus Durán Km 5.5 Vía Durán Yaguachi, Durán 092405, Ecuador)

  • Miguel Orden-Mejía

    (Facultat de Turisme i Geografia, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Carrer Joanot Martorell, 15, 43480 Vila-seca, Spain)

  • Tahani Hassan

    (Brunel Business School, Brunel University London, London UB8 3PH, UK)

  • Orly Carvache-Franco

    (Universidad Espíritu Santo, Km. 2.5 Vía a Samborondón, Samborondón 092301, Ecuador)

  • Wilmer Carvache-Franco

    (Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanísticas, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, Guayaquil 090902, Ecuador)

Abstract

Motivations for traveling to World Heritage natural destinations shape important theories for academic research. This study aims to analyze the influence of motivational factors on tourist satisfaction in the Galápagos Islands. The quantitative study was conducted in situ; a total of 407 valid questionnaires were collected at Mann Beach on San Cristobal Island in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Through structural equation modeling, the analysis identified key motivations contributing to satisfaction, with novelty-seeking and social interaction emerging as key determinants. In contrast, motivations such as learning and authentic coastal experiences were found to have an insignificant impact on tourists’ overall perceptions. The findings also confirmed a strong positive relationship between satisfaction and loyalty, demonstrating that satisfied tourists are more likely to return and spread positive word-of-mouth about the destination. These results highlight the importance of designing tourism experiences that align with visitors’ expectations for social interaction and novelty, thereby enhancing the sustainability and reputation of the Galápagos Islands as a unique destination.

Suggested Citation

  • Mauricio Carvache-Franco & Miguel Orden-Mejía & Tahani Hassan & Orly Carvache-Franco & Wilmer Carvache-Franco, 2025. "Exploring the Relationship Between Motivations, Satisfaction, and Loyalty: Insights from the Galápagos Islands, a World Heritage Site," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:7:p:3034-:d:1623245
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh & Shuhaida Md Noor & Florian Schuberth & Mastura Jaafar, 2019. "Investigating the effects of tourist engagement on satisfaction and loyalty," The Service Industries Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(7-8), pages 559-574, June.
    2. Kyungsik Kim & Yongdi Wang & Jianmin Shi & Wangda Guo & Zixiang Zhou & Zhaoyong Liu, 2023. "Structural Relationship between Ecotourism Motivation, Satisfaction, Place Attachment, and Environmentally Responsible Behavior Intention in Nature-Based Camping," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-22, May.
    3. Liliana A. Alencastro & Mauricio Carvache-Franco & Wilmer Carvache-Franco, 2023. "Preferences of Experiential Fishing Tourism in a Marine Protected Area: A Study in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-15, January.
    4. Mauricio Carvache-Franco & Ana Gabriela Víquez-Paniagua & Wilmer Carvache-Franco & Allan Pérez-Orozco & Orly Carvache-Franco, 2022. "Perceived Value in Sustainable Coastal and Marine Destinations: A Study of Jacó in Costa Rica," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-14, July.
    5. Mauricio Carvache-Franco & Ana Gabriela Víquez-Paniagua & Wilmer Carvache-Franco & Allan Pérez-Orozco & Orly Carvache-Franco, 2022. "Segmentation by Motivations in Sustainable Coastal and Marine Destinations: A Study in Jacó, Costa Rica," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-15, July.
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