The influence of user-generated content (UGC) on tourist destination choice: A theoretical framework
Published: July 25, 2026
Abstract
This study develops a theoretical framework to analyze the impact of user-generated content (UGC) on tourists' destination choice intentions by integrating three fundamental theories: the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the Information Acceptance Model (IAM), and the Social Media Value Perception Model (SMVP). The proposed model comprises three key variable groups: (1) UGC characteristics (authenticity, attractiveness, interactivity), (2) cognitive mediating variables (perceived information quality, perceived credibility), and (3) outcome variables (attitude toward the destination, travel intention). The study applies this framework to Ninh Binh, a renowned cultural and ecological tourism destination in Vietnam, for empirical validation in future research. The findings offer two main contributions: theoretically, they enhance the understanding of how UGC influences tourist behavior in the digital landscape; practically, they provide strategic recommendations for optimizing UGC-based destination marketing and communication efforts.
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