Adventure tourism and visitors motivations: a mixed-method study on memorability and psychological well-being

Purpose This study examines how intrinsic motivations influence adventure tourism memorability and psychological well-being among tourists using self-determination theory (SDT) and basic psychological need theory (BPNT). Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a mixed-methods approach. First, a focus group discussion was conducted to collect qualitative information. Subsequently, a quantitative survey was conducted with 361 respondents to test the hypotheses. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling with Smart PLS. Findings The study reveals that young millennials’ adventure tourism experiences are significantly shaped by their intrinsic motivations. Higher intrinsic motivation leads to more memorable adventure tourism experiences and positively influences the psychological well-being of the tourists. The findings highlight the pivotal role of adventure tourism in fulfilling psychological needs and enhancing overall life satisfaction of the participants. Originality/value This study extends the adventure tourism literature by applying SDT and BPNT to understand the psychological mechanisms underlying memorable experiences and well-being. This study provides new insights into how intrinsic motivation drives adventure tourism behaviour among millennials.