Traveling to your match? Assessing the predictive potential of Plog?s travel personality in destination marketing

Abstract

This study revisits .Plog?s travel personality model in a true experimental setting and tests the model?s predictive power. The specific aim is to examine whether attitudinal and behavioral responses toward a destination vary as a function of the congruity between the tourist?s travel personality and the characteristics of the destination as perceived from an advertising message. The concept of self-congruity serves as a foundation for the theoretical framework. Results indicate message-personality congruity had a significant influence on visit intention via attitudes as mediators. This study provides theoretical implications for the predictive potential of Plog?s model as well as strategic marketing implications for destinations.