From Place to Possession: How Destination Attributes Influence Gen Z Tourists’ Well-Being

Destination psychological ownership signifies the extent to which tourists perceive the destination, or a part of it, as belonging to them. As a deep psychological link between the tourist and the destination, destination psychological ownership is crucial for researchers and practitioners alike to understand, predict, and influence tourists’ attitudes and behaviors. This study examines how destination attributes (i.e., destination image, destination source credibility, and destination autonomy) affect Generation Z tourists’ destination psychological ownership, which in turn affects their well-being. Survey data were collected from 384 Generation Z tourists in China. Our findings indicate that destination source credibility and destination autonomy each positively influence Generation Z tourists’ well-being through destination psychological ownership. Theoretical contributions and practical implications are discussed.