The Effect of Information Quality of Word of Mouth in Online Social Networks on Tourist Behavior

Social networks have changed users’ lifestyles over a short period. People use online social networks. Communications between individuals go beyond the circles of friends and family members and involve communicating with strangers. Social networks have thus provided the marketers with the brand new, yet unlimited opportunities, including online word-of-mouth marketing. This study investigated the effect of information quality of online word of mouth on the tourist behavior. We received 332 questionnaires from domestic tourists who had the experience of using an online word of mouth. Valid questionnaires were 310. The data were analyzed by structural equations and the partial least squares method. The results showed that online word of mouth, information quality, and source credibility had a positive and significant impact on tourist behavior. Also, online word of mouth and information quality had a positive and significant effect on source credibility. Few studies had so far investigated source credibility and quality of information. The results confirmed the direct and significant impact of the two variables on tourist behavior.