Exploring Tourists' Emotional Experiences in Historical and Cultural Tourism Destinations

As tourist demands evolve from traditional material satisfaction to higher levels of spiritual and emotional experiences, the role of tourist emotions in the travel process has become increasingly important. This study utilized Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to assess how perceived authenticity and participation affect the emotional generation and behavioral tendencies of 468 tourists visiting six major historical and cultural cities in China (Xi'an, Guilin, Chengdu, Beijing, Hangzhou, and Nanjing). Subsequent subgroup analysis further explored how these effects vary across different demographic segments, including gender, income, education level, and travel experience. The findings indicate that perceived authenticity and participation significantly enhance tourists' positive emotions and place attachment, which in turn greatly increases their intentions to recommend and revisit. By constructing a framework to assess and understand tourist emotional responses and their impacts, this research provides theoretical insights and practical recommendations for tourism management authorities to meet the evolving cultural and spiritual needs of tourists, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of destinations and promoting high-quality development in the tourism industry.