: A Model for Investigating the Effect of Online Word-of-Mouth Communications on Travel Intention for Tourism Destination

Given the advancements in information and communication technologies, many tourists prefer to collect tourism destination information through electronic word-of-mouth communications. This paper aimed to present a model for investigating the effect of online word-of-mouth communications on travel intention. The statistical population of this study included inbound tourists who traveled to Tehran in September 2016. A sample of 200 tourists was selected conveniently. To collect data, a researcher-developed questionnaire (including 24 questions) was used. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were examined and confirmed. Findings showed that online word-of-mouth communications affected tourism destination image and that tourism destination image significantly affected both the trust in tourism destination and the intention to travel. The trust in tourism destination significantly affected the travel intention for the destination. Also, online word-of-mouth communications had significant effects on the trust in tourism destination and the travel intention directly and indirectly.