Influence of Web Design Features on Attitudes and Intentions in Travel Decision Making

Abstract

This research examines how persuasive design of destination websites affects users’ intention to travel. Sixteen experiment sessions were conducted to evaluate eight real-existing tourism destination websites. Using structural equation modeling analysis, this study examined the relationships between hygiene design features, motivation design features, attitudes toward the website, intention to search for information, and intention to travel. The results showed significant relationship between both hygiene and motivation design factors and attitude toward the website. Information quality determined a large portion of attitude toward the website. This study contributes to previous technology acceptance model research by introducing the hygiene and motivation design features and empirically validates the model with regard to destination websites. Finally, this paper provides implications for destination marketers to increase the effectiveness of destination websites as a promotional channel.