When songs become destinations: Popular music, narrative transportation, and travel intentions

This study examines how destination narratives embedded in popular songs influence destination image, perceived destination attractiveness, narrative transportation, and travel intentions. Thirty-seven international participants listened to destination-themed popular songs before participating in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, yielding four overarching themes: Music-Shaped Destination Image, Construction of Destination Attractiveness, Narrative Transportation into the Destination, and Music-Induced Travel Intentions. The findings show that popular songs create multidimensional destination meanings by stimulating cognitive evaluations, emotional responses, and imagined travel experiences. Rather than directly motivating travel, music influences behavioral intentions through a sequential interpretive process in which narrative immersion strengthens destination image and perceived attractiveness. The study extends existing tourism theory by positioning popular music as a narrative communication medium that shapes destination perceptions beyond conventional marketing channels and offers practical insights for destination branding and cultural tourism strategies.