A Competitive Comparison of Personal and Historical Nostalgia: Influencing Visitor Satisfaction and Support Intention through Perceived Authenticity and Place Attachment

This study validates a "Dual-Path Nostalgia Model" at Kaohsiung's Qishan Old Street, comparing the effects of personal and historical nostalgia on satisfaction and support, mediated by perceived authenticity and place attachment. Based on 743 valid samples and analyzed via SEM, the model demonstrated an excellent fit. Results indicate Personal Nostalgia is the dominant pathway, significantly enhancing both Perceived Authenticity and Place Attachment. Historical Nostalgia had a comparatively weak influence. Perceived Authenticity and Place Attachment positively affected Visitor Satisfaction, while both Satisfaction and Place Attachment drove Willingness to Support. This study clarifies that existential authenticity (from personal memory) is a stronger driver of visitor evaluations than objective history. Managerially, prioritizing sensory cues that trigger personal memories, supplemented by historical narratives, is recommended. Avoiding "nostalgia betrayal" by aligning experiences with memories is crucial.