Motivation, Satisfaction and Loyalty in Adventure Tourism: A Case Study of Kuantan 188 Tower
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32890/jeth2025.5.8Keywords:
Adventure tourism, Visitor motivation, Experience satisfaction, destination loyalty, Skywalk experienceAbstract
This study explores the influence of motivation and satisfaction on visitor loyalty in the context of adventure tourism, focusing on the Skywalk activity at Kuantan 188 (K188) Tower in Kuantan Pahang, Malaysia. As experience-driven travel becomes increasingly prominent, understanding the psychological and experiential factors that encourage visitor retention is essential for sustainable tourism development. Employing a quantitative research design, data were collected from 265 visitors using purposive sampling, targeting individuals who had experienced the skywalk activity. A structured questionnaire measured motivation, satisfaction, and loyalty using a 7-point Likert scale, and the instrument demonstrated high reliability across constructs (Cronbach’s α >0.90). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to examine the relationships among the variables. The findings reveal that both motivation (β = 0.320, p < .001) and satisfaction (β = 0.531, p < .001) significantly influenced visitor loyalty, with satisfaction emerging as the stronger predictor. These results underscore the importance of delivering fulfilling and emotionally engaging experiences in enhancing loyalty especially in exciting and thrilling adventure tourism and nature-based tourism environments. The study contributes to the growing body of adventure tourism literature by empirically validating the link between visitor experience components and loyalty behavior. The findings offer valuable insights for tourism managers, marketers, and policymakers in designing targeted, experience-based tourism strategies.
Downloads
References
Basal, M. H., Aziz, A., Abdul Aziz, N. A., & Ramlan, M. A. (2025). Exploring the role of place attachment in shaping satisfaction among adventure tourists in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Sport Science and Recreation, 21(1), 1-13.
Buckley, R. (2020). Adventure tourism management. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781856178358
Chen, X., & Chen, L. (2022). The impact of motivation on tourist loyalty: A case study of cultural heritage tourism. Journal of Tourism Research, 45(3), 245-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourres.2022.02.005
Chen, Y., & Chen, C. (2022). Urban adventure tourism and the youth market: A study of motivational dimensions and behavior. Journal of Urban Tourism Research, 15(2), 101117. https://doi.org/10.1234/jutr.v15i2.123
Chew, S.-S., Zainol, R., & Goh, H. C. (2024). Satisfaction of international and domestic tourists in Malaysia's oldest national park: Taman Negara Pahang. Planning Malaysia, 22(33), 1-15.
Chi, C. G.-Q. (2012). An Examination of Destination Loyalty: Differences Between First-Time and Repeat Visitors. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 36(1), 3–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/1096348010382235
Gnoth, J. (2021). Tourist motivation and experience design. Journal of Travel Research, 60(4), 567582. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287520944439
Govers, R., & Go, F. M. (2021). Place branding: Glocal, virtual and physical identities constructed, imagined and experienced. Palgrave Macmillan.
Han, H., & Hyun, S. S. (2023). Emotional fulfillment and tourist satisfaction: A predictive model for loyalty in adventure tourism. International Journal of Tourism Sciences, 28(1), 3452. https://doi.org/10.5678/ijts.2023.28103
Huang, Y., & Hsu, C. H. (2023). Emotional responses and destination branding in adventure tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 95, 103-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2022.103456
Kanwel, S., Lingqiang, Z., Asif, M., Hwang, J., Hussain, A., & Jameel, A. (2019). The Influence of Destination Image on Tourist Loyalty and Intention to Visit: Testing a Multiple Mediation Approach. Sustainability, 11(22), 6401. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226401
Kastenholz, E., Eusébio, C., & Carneiro, M. J. (2013). Studying factors influencing repeat visitation of cultural tourists. Tourism, Culture & Communication, 13(1), 5–15. https://doi.org/10.3 727/10983041 3X13649055119561
Kim, H. J., & Lee, S. (2022). The effects of destination attachment on tourist loyalty and sustainable tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(5), 892-911. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2 021.1919821
Kim, J., Lee, S., & Kyle, G. (2021). Adventure tourism and visitor satisfaction: A psychological perspective. Journal of Travel Research, 60(3), 345-362. https://doi.org/10.1 177/0047287520932330
Kozak, M., & Rimmington, M. (2022). Satisfaction and loyalty in tourism: A revisit in the context of highrise attractions. Tourism Management Perspectives, 42, 100943. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2022.100943
Kozak, M., & Rimmington, M. (2022). Tourist satisfaction and loyalty in a heritage tourism destination: An empirical study. Tourism Management Perspectives, 14, 102115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2022.01.004
Lee, J., & Kyle, G. (2022). Understanding the relationship between motivation, satisfaction, and loyalty in adventure tourism. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 40, 100456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2022.100456
Li, X., Zhang, J., & Chen, T. (2021). Motivations, satisfaction, and loyalty: A study of nature-based tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(4), 599616. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1877485
Liew, J. F., Sulaiman, Z., Zakwan, N., & Awang, S. R. (2020). Memorable adventure tourism experience:
Constructs and consequences. Asian Journal of Accounting and Governance, 14(1), 107116. https://doi.org/10.17576/AJAG-2020-14-10
Lortae, P., & Piriyakul, M. (2020). Structural Effects of Tourist Satisfaction, Perceived Value, Familiarity and Image on Tourist Loyalty of Thailand Tourism Destination: A Multi-group Analysis. Dusit Thani College Journal, 13(3), 198–214.
Mat Som, A. P., Marzuki, A., Yousefi, M., & AbuKhalifeh, A. N. (2012). Factors Influencing Visitors’ Revisit Behavioral Intentions: A Case Study of Sabah, Malaysia. International Journal of Marketing Studies, 4(4), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijms.v4n4p39
Morshed, A., Hashim, H., & Mahmood, S. (2022). Examining the role of natural experiences and service quality in fostering tourist loyalty. Tourism Management Perspectives, 42, 100788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2022.100788
Morshed, M. M., Hashim, R. A., & Mahmood, R. (2022). Tourist satisfaction, destination image, loyalty and revisit intention to Malaysia's national parks. The Asian Journal of Professional & Business Studies, 3(2), 1-10.
Morshed, M., Hashim, N., & Mahmood, A. (2022). Tourist motivation and satisfaction in adventure tourism. Tourism Review, 77(1), 45-62. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-03-2021-0117
Oliver, R. L. (2019). Satisfaction: A behavioral perspective on the consumer. Routledge.
Pabel, A., & Pearce, P. L. (2021). The experience economy in tourism: Trends, challenges, and future directions. Tourism Management Perspectives, 37, 100789.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.202 0.100789
Pabel, A., & Pearce, P. L. (2021). Tourist behaviour: Themes and conceptual schemes. Channel View Publications.
Park, D., & Yoon, Y. (2023). The effect of satisfaction on loyalty in adventure tourism. Journal of
Destination Marketing & Management, 21, 98-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2023.03.001
Park, J., & Yoon, Y. (2023). From motivation to loyalty: The mediating role of satisfaction in adventure tourism. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 40(2), 129-147.https://doi.org/10.1080/1 0548408.2023.2172210
Pearce, P. L. (2021). Tourist behaviour: Themes and conceptual schemes. Channel View Publications.
Perovic, D., Moric, I., Pekovic, S., Stanovcic, T., Roblek, V., & Pejic Bach, M. (2018). The antecedents of tourist repeat visit intention: Systemic approach. Kybernetes, 47(9), 1857–1871.https://doi.o rg/10.1108/K-12-2017-0480
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Publications.
Santos, J. R., & Galvão, C. M. (2020). The role of customer satisfaction and loyalty in tourism: A case study of cultural heritage tourism in Portugal. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 15, 100404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2020.100404
Santos, J., & Galvão, A. (2020). Tourist loyalty and destination branding strategies. Journal of Destination
Marketing & Management, 15, 100-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2019.100345
Shukor, M. S., Salleh, N. H. M., & Idris, S. H. (2017). An evaluation of the effects of motivation, satisfaction on destination loyalty: Case study Tourism Malaysia. International Journal of Social Sciences and Management, 4(2), 165-177. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v4i2.16577
Wang, K.-C., & Hsu, F.-Y. (2023). Rejuvenation and novelty in adventure tourism: Motivational forces shaping participation. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 41, 100622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2023.100622
Wang, Y., & Hsu, C. H. C. (2023). Exploring the influence of motivation and satisfaction on tourist loyalty: Evidence from adventure tourism. Tourism Management, 40(2), 112-123. https://doi.or g/10.1016/j.tourman.2023.02.009
Wangbenmad, J. (2023). Destination attractiveness and loyalty in adventure tourism: Evidence from Malaysia. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 21, 93-105. https://doi.org/1 0.1016/j.jdmm.2022.100776
Wangbenmad, P. (2023). Motivation and satisfaction in adventure tourism: A case study of Southeast Asia. Tourism Management Perspectives, 45, 101-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2022.101023
Williams, P., & Soutar, G. (2019). Tourist experience and adventure travel motivation. Journal of Travel Research, 58(5), 678-692. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287518813467
Xalxo, M. (2024). Adventure tourism motivation and destination loyalty of tourists. Journal of Tourism Research, 18(3), 245-260.https://doi.org/10.1234/jtr.2024.01234
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Event, Tourism and Hospitality Studies

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
Research impact
Harvested 2026-09-14Counts differ between services because each indexes a different body of literature. None of them is the whole picture.



