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

Tianhao Qin and Maowei Chen ()
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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

Tourism and Hospitality, 2025, vol. 6, issue 3, 1-19

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.

Keywords: gamification in tourism; health tourism; flow experience; perceived value; behavioral intention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Z3 Z30 Z31 Z32 Z33 Z38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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