Assessing age-related influences on motivation and attachment in film tourism: a SHAFE approach

Abstract

Abstract The shift in tourists’ motivations indicates a growing interest in seeking novel experiences. Film tourism emerges as a category capable of meeting this demand for fresh encounters. This study presents fieldwork aimed at examining the significance of cinema in tourists’ behavior, attempting to determine if there are significant differences in motivational factors and attachment to a film destination based on the age groups analyzed. To achieve this objective, a methodology based on the statistical software SPSS v24.0 is employed for both the preliminary data analysis and scale reliability assessment, as well as for discriminant analysis, using 572 valid surveys from individuals interested in film tourism. Through this discriminant analysis, various motivational dimensions are explored, alongside the impact of place attachment to a film destination. The key findings highlight an evident generational shift is conspicuously observed concerning the presented responses, with the mean assessment rating of responses significantly higher for age groups below lower years in contrast to those exceeding higher years of age. The issue under study incorporates a new dimension of significant importance, which is the need to incorporate a generational perspective on the state of the matter. The practical implications of this research are significant, empowering public authorities and private companies overseeing film destinations to devise strategies that invigorate the tourist activity zone and boost revenue for both businesses and the local community. Some of the objectives may encompass fostering innovation and facilitating initiatives aimed at augmenting investments in relevant social areas pertaining to Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments-SHAFE.