Exploring Arousal in <scp>GCC</scp> as a Mediator of Impulsive Behavior Among Tourists in E‐Sports Tourism: Insights From Gulf Countries' Collective Culture

ABSTRACT The surge in e‐sports tourism globally, with China at the forefront of revenue generation and GCC nations striving for preeminence, has spurred interest in impulsive behavior among e‐sports tourists within Gulf collective cultures. Grounded in arousal theory, a survey of 562 GCC participants unveils noteworthy findings: human stimuli and the success of the information system significantly impact arousal levels. Motivations for e‐sports tourism, concerns surrounding group honor, and cultural identification serve to intensify arousal, thereby influencing impulsive actions. Arousal functions as a mediating factor, except for formation quality, which alters the impulsive behavior–environment relationship. This research underscores the profound influence of psychological and physical factors in shaping arousal levels and traveler behavior within collective cultures in e‐sports tourism. Additionally, it furnishes valuable guidance for event planners in the e‐sports industry, aiding in the optimization of settings to achieve desired arousal levels and enhance the overall tourism experience.