Examining Consumer Intentions to Use Wearable Technologies in Tourism: Effects of Socio-Symbolic Drivers, Technology Use, and Security

Abstract

Despite the growing use of wearable technologies in tourism, academic research on their adoption remains scarce, particularly regarding cashless wristbands. This study addresses this gap by analyzing how perceived technology use, socio-symbolic drivers, and perceived security influence the intention to use wearable wristbands in tourism. While wearable computers have advanced across various economic sectors, including tourism and hospitality, research has yet to fully explore how symbolic and experiential factors shape user adoption in leisure contexts. Many service providers and destinations have introduced cashless wristbands to enhance convenience and data collection for planning. By identifying this theoretical gap and applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) along with extensions such as trust and security, this study offers a novel perspective on consumer adoption in tourism. A survey with 428 tourists was conducted to examine the relationships among the proposed variables. Structural equation modeling techniques were used to test the conceptual model. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how extended TAM variables operate in tourism scenarios involving wearable devices and offer managerial insights for the design and implementation of such technologies.