The effect of host–guest interaction in tourist co-creation in public services: evidence from Hangzhou

This study focuses on tourist co-creation in the public service context, an area that has received limited attention in tourism studies. By utilizing a survey with a sample of 458 responses from on-site tourists in Hangzhou, China, this study explored how host–guest interactions at the destination motivate tourists’ intention to participate in public service co-creation. The empirical analysis shows that different types of host–guest interaction in the public service context lead tourists to feel different dimensions of experiential value. Emotional and social experiential value play a full mediating role between host–guest interaction and co-creation intention.