Tourists’ perceptions of crowding, attractiveness, and satisfaction: a second-order structural model

Tourists' perceptions of crowding at Mount Sanqingshan National Park negatively impact the attractiveness of the destination, though they do not directly affect satisfaction. This study introduces a multidimensional model of crowding—neutral, personal, and social—to refine how tourist experiences are evaluated beyond traditional metrics like satisfaction. Using a second-order structural equation model with survey data from 424 tourists, researchers found that while perceived crowding diminishes destination appeal, it does not directly influence overall visitor satisfaction. The findings underscore the need for targeted management strategies to mitigate negative perceptions of crowding and enhance tourist experiences at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Li, L., Zhang, J., Nian, S., & Zhang, H. (2017). Tourists’ perceptions of crowding, attractiveness, and satisfaction: a second-order structural model. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 22(12), 1250–1260. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2017.1391305