Destination gamification unveiled: Developing and applying the destination gamification scale

Destination gamification has emerged as a significant strategy for enhancing tourist attraction. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods to conceptualize destination gamification and examine its impact on tourist behavior. Study 1 developed and validated a 6-dimensional, 30-item Destination Gamification Scale. Guided by the MOA model, Study 2 investigates how motivation, travel constraints, and self-efficacy influence tourists’ engagement with destination gamification. The findings contribute to the literature by advancing the theoretical understanding of destination gamification and, more specifically, by providing a validated scale for its measurement. Furthermore, this study offers practical implications for destination managers aiming to design and implement gamified experiences with their strategic planning.