Mental time travel: The influence of pre-trip sharing intention on tourist experience

Abstract

“Shareable” has emerged as a novel tourist motivation that drives tourists to form positive prospective destination memories through mental time travel and pre-experience sharing. This is a critical narrative transportation experience that reshapes tourists’ experiences and traditional decision-making patterns. Grounded in the narrative transportation theory, Study 1 conducted a field survey at a theme park (N = 275), examining the influence of pre-trip sharing intention on perceived experience value and subsequent decision-making behaviors while establishing the mediating role of immersion. Study 2 conducted a field survey at a performance-based attraction (N = 211), which demonstrated the moderating effects of self-presentation concern and sharing experience. This research elucidates the mechanisms and boundary conditions of tourist experience and decision-making in the digital era, while revealing innovative pathways for narrative transportation in tourism contexts. The study provides novel strategic insights for destination marketing and activity design, particularly in facilitating the construction of tourist self-narratives.