From travel motivation for cultural experiences to post-event outcomes: the mediating role of social interaction ties among international sport tourists

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of social interaction ties in the relationships between travel motivation for cultural experiences and destination image and event- and tourism-related behavioral intentions among international sport tourists participating in the Kobe Marathon. Analyses were conducted using cross-sectional data from 308 participants. Social interaction ties significantly mediated the relationships with all outcomes. The findings extend motivation-based explanations of sport tourism behavior toward a process-oriented perspective by highlighting a relational process linking travel motivation with post-event evaluations. Practically, event organizers and destination managers should facilitate interpersonal interaction to strengthen engagement with events and host destinations.