When the First Choice Is Unattainable: A Study on the Value Reconstruction Process and Behavioral Intention of Functionally Substitutive Tourism among Generation Z
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/2kkp1d05Keywords:
Pingti Tourism (affordable alternative tourism), Substitute Satisfaction, Expected Gap Compensation, Value Reconstruction, Behavioral IntentionAbstract
The global tourism industry is shifting from “destination accessibility” to “experiential substitutability.” Amid consumption moderation, the continuous upgrading of tourist demand has rendered functionally substitutive tourism a key solution to mitigate the supply–demand imbalance in tourism, with the “pingti” (affordable alternative) tourism market developing rapidly. Focusing on functionally substitutive tourism, this study constructs a value reconstruction model involving substitute satisfaction, value reconstruction, expected gap compensation, and behavioral intention, and proposes relevant research hypotheses. Empirical analysis was performed through questionnaire surveys, using SPSS 27.0 and AMOS 23.0 for data processing. The findings show that substitute satisfaction exerts a significant positive effect on value reconstruction; value reconstruction plays a mediating role between substitute satisfaction and behavioral intention; and expected gap compensation positively moderates the relationship between substitute satisfaction and value reconstruction. Finally, practical development suggestions are proposed based on the research results, along with discussions on the study’s limitations and future research prospects.
Downloads
References
[1] Xiong, Y. J. (2019). Substitute satisfaction and the viewing psychology of current crime-themed movies [Master’s thesis]. Chinese National Academy of Arts.
[2] Li, C. Q. (2020). “Cool stories” and “cool culture”: The realization and crisis of substitute satisfaction. Audio-Visual Research, (5), 23–25.
[3] Pan, M. T. (2020). Analysis of eating broadcast viewing behavior among restricted eating groups: Based on the theory of substitute satisfaction. Audio-Visual Research, (10), 161–162.
[4] Freud, S. (2003). The future of an illusion and civilization and its discontents (Y. Zhi-jun & Z. Mo, Trans.). Hebei Education Press.
[5] Wang, L. X. (2021). Content production strategies and fans' substitute satisfaction of beauty short videos: A case study of Douyin account “Ye Gongzi”. Modern Marketing, (13), 94–95.
[6] Huo, L. B., & Mi, D. (2018). Substitute satisfaction: A user study of mobile game Love and Producer from the perspective of intimate relationship. Southeast Communication, (6), 112–115.
[7] Zhong, X. J., & Rong, F. Z. (2025). Return of poetry and distance: The formation logic, core definition and practical conception of reverse tourism. Journal of Nanning Vocational and Technical University, 1–9.
[8] Wu, D. T. (2024). Re-discussion on reverse tourism. Journal of Northwest Minzu University (Philosophy and Social Sciences), (5), 130–140.
[9] Zhang, Y. Y., & Gao, M. G. (2025). Digital invisibility: Virtual-real threshold and compensatory identity in young people's music concert viewing. Modern Communication (Journal of Communication University of China), 47(2), 125–135.
[10] Wang, Z., & Jiang, W. T. (2024). The impact of gamification marketing strategies on consumers' compensatory consumption behavior. Journal of Business Economics, (14), 47–51.
[11] Liu, C., Wang, M. D., & Xu, Y. N. (2024). The impact of self-threat on consumers' compensatory consumption. Productivity Research, (11), 24–28.
[12] Wang, L., Zhao, M., Gao, H. X., & Zhao, Y. (2023). Dimension exploration and scale development of compensatory consumption behavior. Chinese Journal of Management, 20(12).
[13] Belk, R. W. (1988). Possessions and the extended self. Journal of Consumer Research, 15(2), 139–168. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/15.2.139
[14] Baudrillard, J. (1994). Simulacra and simulation. University of Michigan Press.
[15] Liu, Y. C., & Lu, F. (2025). Cognitive reconstruction and value reshaping: Artificial intelligence-driven knowledge production paradigm change and the response of humanities and social sciences. Journal of Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications (Social Science Edition), 1–12.
[16] Wang, M. Y., & Yan, C. L. (2025). Digital empowerment and value reshaping: Research on communication strategies of silver-haired internet celebrities under the background of rural revitalization. Audio-Visual Research, (11), 82–85.
[17] Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
[18] Cai, J., Xu, F. F., & Yan, X. Y. (2025). A study on zoo tourists' interaction behavior, perceived value and behavioral intention: From the perspective of environmental ethics. Tourism Science, 1–15.
[19] Niu, Y. Y., Shao, J., Zhao, Y. M., et al. (2025). The influence of rural reality variety authenticity perception and place attachment on tourists' behavioral intention: A case study of Grow Up. Resource Development & Market, 41(6), 952–960.
[20] Oliver, R. L. (1980). A cognitive model of the antecedents and consequences of satisfaction decisions. Journal of Marketing Research, 17(4), 460–469. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378001700405
[21] Chen, C. F., & Tsai, D. C. (2007). How destination image and evaluative factors affect behavioral intentions? Tourism Management, 28, 1115–1122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2006.09.003
[22] Hinds, J., & Sparks, P. (2008). Engaging with the natural environment: The role of affective connection and identity. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 28(2), 109–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.10.001
[23] Liu, H. (2023). A study on the relationship among tourists' perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intention in sports-featured towns [Master’s thesis]. Nanchang Hangkong University.
[24] Xiao, T. T. (2015). Analysis of the relationship among adventure tourists' perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intention [Master’s thesis]. Sichuan Agricultural University.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.







