ECONOMICS - Innovative and Economics Research Journal | 2026
Authors: Rustemova S.; Nassanbekova S.; Tleubayeva A.; Rakhimzhanova T.; Tukibayeva K.
DOI: 10.2478/eoik-2026-0041
Journal: ECONOMICS - Innovative and Economics Research Journal
Year: 2026
Publisher: Sciendo
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Cited by: 0
This study investigates the structural relationships between visitor engagement, heritage motives, destination image and the impact on revisit intention and electronic word-of-mouth (eWoM) with memorable tourism experience (MTE) as a mediating mechanism in the heritage tourism context of Semey, Kazakhstan. This research utilized a purposive sample of 325 tourists from organized heritage tours to collect data for an online survey. The hypotheses were tested through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results show that visitor engagement and destination image have a significant impact on both MTE and behavioral intentions. Heritage motives influence MTE positively, but they do not directly statistically significantly affect revisit intention or eWoM; rather they influence it, although indirectly, through MTE. These findings demonstrate the central mediation of MTE to transform cognitive and motivational antecedents toward loyalty outcomes, emphasizing that experiential quality is an important facilitate in promoting long-term behavioral intentions in heritage destinations. © 2026 Sciendo. All rights reserved.
destination image; eWoM intention; heritage motives; heritage tourism; memorable tourism experience; revisit intention; visitor engagement