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Enhancing Health Tourism Through Gamified Experiences: A Structural Equation Model of Flow, Value, and Behavioral Intentions

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  • Tianhao Qin

    (Graduate School of Global Convergence, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea)

  • Maowei Chen

    (Department of Global Convergence, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

As health and well-being become central concerns in the post-pandemic tourism landscape, health tourism is evolving to prioritize not only physical recovery but also psychological engagement and emotional value. This study explores how gamified design can enhance tourist participation and experience quality within health-related tourism contexts. By integrating theories from tourism psychology and game-based experience design, a structural equation model is proposed to examine the relationships among memorable tourism experiences, tourist motivation, game design elements, flow experience, and perceived value, and their joint influence on behavioral intention. Data collected from tourists who engaged in gamified experiences were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The results identify a dynamic “participation–immersion–value” mechanism, in which gameful design fosters flow and perceived value, thereby mediating gamification’s impact on behavioral intention. These findings offer valuable insights for health tourism developers and experience designers seeking to create emotionally engaging, motivating, and sustainable visitor experiences in the context of health and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Tianhao Qin & Maowei Chen, 2025. "Enhancing Health Tourism Through Gamified Experiences: A Structural Equation Model of Flow, Value, and Behavioral Intentions," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jtourh:v:6:y:2025:i:3:p:140-:d:1701766
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eppmann, René & Bekk, Magdalena & Klein, Kristina, 2018. "Gameful Experience in Gamification: Construction and Validation of a Gameful Experience Scale [GAMEX]," Journal of Interactive Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 98-115.
    2. Mullins, Jeffrey K. & Sabherwal, Rajiv, 2020. "Gamification: A cognitive-emotional view," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 304-314.
    3. Xin Chen & Zhen-feng Cheng & Gyu-Bae Kim, 2020. "Make It Memorable: Tourism Experience, Fun, Recommendation and Revisit Intentions of Chinese Outbound Tourists," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-24, March.
    4. Devesa, María & Laguna, Marta & Palacios, Andrés, 2010. "The role of motivation in visitor satisfaction: Empirical evidence in rural tourism," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(4), pages 547-552.
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