Antecedents and consequences of ethnic tourist satisfaction: the moderating role of ethnic identity

This study tries to offer new insight into ethnic tourism. It has investigated the empirical evidence related to the moderating role of ethnic identity on the relationship between tourist satisfaction and its consequences. By using the theory of expectancy disconfirmation and social comparison, this study analyzed the moderating role of ethnic identity. Data were collected using a valid structured questionnaire from 292 Iranian Kurd tourists who had traveled to the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Results showed that place attachment mediates the effect of destination image on tourist satisfaction. The mediating effect of tourist satisfaction was also confirmed. Moreover, ethnic identity had a significant negative moderating role. These results help managers and sociologists to find more effective ways of dedicating resources to tourism development and guarantees ethnic tourists' return.