IInvestigating the Role of Motivation-Opportunity-Ability in the Prediction of Senior Residential Tourism Destination Choice: Analysis Using PLS-SEM and fsQCA

Senior residential tourism (SRT) deserves thorough examination as a valuable means for encouraging active and healthy aging. This research focuses on Sanya as the target destination and utilizes Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to investigate the roles of motivation, opportunity, and ability in choosing SRT destinations. The PLS-SEM findings indicated that enjoying nature, wellness retreats, achieving personal fulfillment, family support, consumption capacity, and self-efficacy significantly enhance the choice of SRT destinations. However, no single antecedent variable can completely predict the intention to choose an SRT destination; all variables need to be considered alongside others. Subsequently, fsQCA identified 11 distinct configuration pathways that elucidate the driving mechanisms behind SRT destination choice. These pathways were classified into four types: motivation-driven, motivation-opportunity-driven, motivation-ability-driven, and MOA-equilibrium. Additionally, we discovered that the results from PLS-SEM and fsQCA were not consistent for certain relationships. This highlights the inherent complexity in the choice and decision-making process regarding SRT destinations. This study offers valuable new insights for consumers and SRT destination managers, aiding them in making optimal decisions.