Exploring the influence of short video platforms on tourist attitudes and travel intention: A social–technical perspective

Despite the increasing popularity of short video platforms (SVPs) in tourism, there has been a lack of integrated theoretical understanding regarding the mechanism of how SVP users’ perceptions of social media influencers (SMIs) and quality of SVPs influence their intention to visit the destination. By combining social learning theory and the technology acceptance model (TAM), this study investigated the effectiveness of SVPs in terms of source credibility of SMIs and the quality of SVPs in inducing travel intention via attitude. Analyses with a sample of 454 respondents revealed that perceived expertise of SMIs in SVPs positively influenced attitude toward the destination. Additionally, perceived usefulness and enjoyment of short travel videos positively influenced attitude toward SVPs. Attitude toward SVPs was positively linked to attitude toward destination. Both attitudes, in turn, led to travel intention. The study also revealed that parasocial interaction moderated the relationships between perceived attractiveness and expertise and attitude toward the destination. Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and tourism marketers are advised to focus on utilizing SMIs who show expertise and featuring informative and enjoyable videos on SVPs for their destination promotion.