Examining the Effects of Destination Attributes on Place Attachment and Behavioral Intentions

Tourism destinations attract visitors through a mix of attributes—accommodations, transportation, food and beverages, attractions, and safety—that collectively shape travel experiences. These attributes are not only functional but also critical resources influencing emotional bonds with places, known as place attachment. Emotions are central to tourism, underscoring the need to examine factors shaping such bonds. This study investigates how destination attributes affect tourists’ place attachment and behavioral intentions. Data from 416 past visitors to Florence, Italy were analyzed using the PLS algorithm. Results show that accommodation, transportation, culinary offerings, and attractions significantly influence both place attachment and behavioral intentions, while safety affects recommendation but not revisit intention. The study contributes to the tourism literature by emphasizing the dual importance of destination attributes and place attachment in shaping behavioral intentions and offers a comprehensive framework that integrates the resource-based view with place attachment theory. It also offers practical insights for destination managers and policymakers on how to leverage destination attributes to foster stronger emotional connections and encourage sustainable visitation behaviors and adopt a holistic approach to destination planning and development. Regular monitoring of tourist feedback is recommended to enhance competitiveness.