Skip to the main content

Tourism and hospitality management, Vol. 32 No. 3, 2026.

Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20867/thm.32.3.3

Authenticity and novelty on bali’s cultural tourist loyalty: Mediating role of aesthetic experience quality

Miharni Tjokrosaputro orcid id orcid.org/0009-0003-6209-6837 ; Associate Professor, Universitas Tarumanagara, Faculty of Economics and Business, Indonesia *
Ida Puspitowati ; Assistant Professor Universitas Tarumanagara, Faculty of Economics and Business, Indonesia
Sanny Ekawati ; Assistant Professor Universitas Tarumanagara, Faculty of Economics and Business, Indonesia

* Corresponding author.

Full text: english pdf 577 Kb

page I-XIII

downloads: 28

cite

Abstract

Purpose – This research examines the impact of authenticity and novelty perception on tourist
loyalty, focusing on the role of Aesthetic Experience Quality (AEQ) as a mediating variable.
The study applies the Cognitive Appraisal Theory (CAT) framework and focuses on cultural
tourism in Bali, Indonesia.
Methodology/Design/Approach – A descriptive research design was employed, with data
collected through traditional paper-based surveys and digital forms using Google Forms.
Respondent selection was conducted via purposive sampling, and the data were analysed
using PLS-SEM.
Findings – The results reveal that authenticity and novelty significantly enhance Aesthetic
Experience Quality (AEQ). While novelty directly fosters tourist loyalty, authenticity does
not exert a direct effect. Instead, AEQ mediates both authenticity and novelty, underscoring
its pivotal role in strengthening loyalty towards cultural destinations.
Originality of the research – This study offers an advanced contribution by developing a
tourist loyalty model based on authenticity and novelty in cultural tourism destinations, with
AEQ as a mediator from the CAT perspective. It addresses research gaps and inconsistencies
in previous studies on the relationship between authenticity and tourist loyalty. The findings
strengthen the theoretical understanding of how authenticity shapes tourist loyalty within the
context of cultural tourism destinations.

Keywords

Authenticity, Novelty, Aesthetic Experience Quality, Loyalty, Cultural Tourism

Hrčak ID:

346472

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/346472

Publication date:

22.4.2026.

Visits: 59 *