LGBTIQ+ tourist motivations and memorable destination experience: The moderating effect of gender identity and sexual orientation

Abstract

This research delves into the impact of LGBTIQ+ communities’ motivations on the memorable destination experiences of 517 queer travellers. The primary goal is to unravel the influence of motivational factors (with special attention to LGBTIQ+ motivations) on the creation of memorable destination experiences, with a specific focus on scrutinising the moderating effects of gender identity and sexual orientation. It systematically examines both the homogeneity and heterogeneity within the spectrum of LGBTIQ+ tourists. The quantitative analysis of data, collected through an online questionnaire, reveals a notable consistency in tourist motivations regarding sexual orientations, and some diversity in represented gender identities. Pull LGBTIQ+ motivations do not exert a significant influence nor impact on the memorable experiences of queer tourists. By exploring the dynamics of LGBTIQ+ travellers, this study contributes significantly to our understanding of their motivations, shedding light on both commonalities and distinctions within LGBTIQ+ communities.