Tourist interaction and satisfaction with the chatbot evokes pre-visit destination image formation? A case study

ABSTRACT Destinations increasingly use chatbots in the management and communication with tourists. This study analyzes the mediating effect of chatbot usage satisfaction on forming the destination’s image. As a case study, we use the Chabot “Victoria la Malagueña,” Spain. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations were necessary to identify the relationships between the constructs. The results show that informativeness and empathy are the main attributes that influence user satisfaction and mediate forming a destination image. The study has managerial implications and provides destination management organizations with practical information for creating chatbots.