The relationship between visitors’ motivations and satisfaction about a Brazilian sacred complex

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between the motivation and satisfaction of visitors, both tourists and residents, of a sacred urban complex located in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Design/methodology/approach This descriptive research uses quantitative and survey methods to collect the data. The sample of this study consists of 400 visitors, comprising tourists and residents who were in Vale das Graças, Santa Catarina, Brazil, between August and September 2019. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Findings The results of this study showed people who visit the site for reasons of religious belief, cultural pleasure and mental relaxation feel satisfied and emotionally touched by the religious atmosphere. It was also perceived that all dimensions of satisfaction significantly influenced the motivation to visit the Vale da Graça; that is, tourists and residents tend to feel more motivated to visit the Sacred Complex when they are satisfied with the contact with faith provoked by the visit. Originality/value This research provides theoretical and managerial contributions. Initially, this study contributes to research related to urban religious tourism and the perception of residents and tourists (visitors) in relation to a sacred complex. In general, this research on the subject investigated only the tourist's perspective. In addition, this study also brings management contributions for the destination administrators by understanding the behaviour of visitors to religious tourist sites located in the urban area of municipalities and giving their opinions on the satisfaction and motivation of aspects related to religious contact to visit such sites, thus helping in the management process of the attraction and surroundings.