Exploring AI Adoption in Tourism: A TAM-SOR Study on Usefulness, Risk, Emotional Mediation, and Tourist Typology Moderation

Abstract

This study examines how the PU of AI language models (AILM) during the pre-trip, during-trip, and post-trip phases, along with perceived risk (PR), operationalised through perceived drawbacks (PD) and ethical issues (EI), affects tourists’ emotional responses (EMO) and ultimately their intention to adopt (IntA) AILM. Integrating the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) framework, a survey of 1,175 respondents was analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings reveal that PU dimensions related to travel planning (BT) and experience (AT) significantly enhance positive EMO and IntA, while PD negatively influences EMO, thereby reducing adoption intention. Notably, these relationships are consistent across both tech-savvy and traditional travellers. The results offer valuable theoretical insights and practical implications for refining e-marketing strategies and technology design in the evolving tourism landscape.

Presenters

Kai Xin Tay
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia

Details

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Theme

Critical Issues in Tourism and Leisure Studies

KEYWORDS

AI LANGUAGE MODELS, PERCEIVED USEFULNESS, PERCEIVED RISK, EMOTIONAL RESPONSES, INTENTION