Influence of design on tourists’ recommendation intention: an exploratory study of fjord cruise boats

ABSTRACT

In this article we study the influences of esthetic, functional, and symbolic dimensions of design on attitude toward fjord cruise boats and intention to recommend using the product. Also, we argue for the importance of a product to blend in with the surroundings in which it is used – contextually congruent design. In two studies we find that aesthetic, functional and contextually congruent design has positive influences on attitude toward fjord cruise boats. Designers of fjord cruise boats should develop boats with designs that are congruent with the surroundings in which they will be used.

KEYWORDS:

• Design
• esthetics
• functionality
• symbolism
• contextually congruent design
• recommendation intention
• attitude
• fjord cruise
• survey
• structural equation modeling
• SEM

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the research program in Innovation and value creation in the tourism industry in Sogn and Fjordane, Norway .