HOW SMARTNESS OF LEISURE-SPORTS APPLIANCES INFLUENCE TOURISTS’ INTENTION TO USE

Abstract

The tourism and hospitality industries emphasize on indoor leisure-sport activities for tourists because these activities are less impacted by weather and provide enjoyment and relaxation to travelers, thereby enhancing their satisfaction. This study used the self-promotion perspective to establish a theoretical model to illustrate how the perceived usefulness of a product (in these cases, leisure-sports appliances) mediates the relationship between a tourist’s self-image and intention to use. Focusing on the users of treadmill, massage chair, Nintendo Wii, and hydrotherapy machine, a sample of 384 effective respondents was collected and analyzed with structural equation modelling by using AMOS 21.0. The study revealed several essential findings. First, product features like multifunctionality and reactivity significantly associate with a user’s self-image and perceived usefulness of a leisure-sports appliance. Product complexity positively relates to self-image but negatively relates to perceived usefulness, whereas automation positively relates to perceived usefulness but negatively relates to perceived self-image. Moreover, individual subjective norms significantly influence perceived usefulness and intention to use. Entertainment is not significant to an individual’s perceived usefulness but is significantly associated with a tourist’s intention to use. This study affirms the mediating role of perceived usefulness that connects self-image and intention to use.