The continuous population decline in local regions has emerged as a critical factor hindering regional development. In response, local governments are actively employing regional marketing strategies that utilize cultural resources such as local cultu...
The continuous population decline in local regions has emerged as a critical factor hindering regional development. In response, local governments are actively employing regional marketing strategies that utilize cultural resources such as local culture, historical figures, and heritage to counter the crisis of regional extinction and promote sustainable development. Both national and local governments are fostering the tourism industry as a key driver of regional revitalization. Storytelling has been widely adopted as a marketing strategy to enhance the value of festivals, cultural heritage, and tourist attractions by embedding meaningful narratives and strengthening their brand asset functions to attract visitors.
The purpose of this study is to identify and empirically analyze the relationships among person-based tourism storytelling, lovemarks, brand equity, place attachment, and regional development performance. By doing so, the study seeks to propose strategic directions and effective management measures for differentiated tourism strategies.
To establish the theoretical foundation for person-based tourism storytelling, lovemarks, brand equity, place attachment, and regional development performance, relevant domestic and international literature—including academic journals and books—was comprehensively reviewed. Based on prior studies, a research model appropriate to the purpose of this study was developed, consisting of eight major hypotheses and twenty-seven sub-hypotheses. The survey instrument was constructed using variables validated in previous studies and refined for this research. A survey was conducted with citizens of Ansan from August 25 to September 13, 2025, yielding 439 valid responses for analysis.
For hypothesis testing, the collected data were coded and analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 statistical package. The empirical results regarding the influence relationships among person-based tourism storytelling, lovemarks, brand equity, place attachment, and regional development performance are summarized as follows.
First, person-based tourism storytelling was found to have partially significant effects on lovemarks. Among the components of storytelling, uniqueness and interest positively influenced the dimensions of mystery, sensuality, and intimacy, whereas educational value showed no statistically significant influence on any lovemark dimension.
Second, person-based tourism storytelling was found to have partially significant effects on brand equity. Interest positively influenced brand awareness, perceived quality, and brand image, while educational value showed no statistically significant effects on any brand equity component.
Third, person-based tourism storytelling was found to have partially significant effects on place attachment. Among the storytelling factors, only interest had significant positive effects on both identity and dependence. Uniqueness, educational value, and understandability showed no significant effects. However, additional simple regression analyses revealed that all four factors—uniqueness, educational value, understandability, and interest—had significant positive effects on place attachment, indicating that each factor contributes independently to the formation of place attachment.
Fourth, lovemarks exhibited partially significant effects on place attachment. Intimacy had significant positive effects on both identity and dependence. Mystery influenced dependence but not identity, while sensuality had no statistically significant effects on either dimension.
Fifth, brand equity showed partially significant effects on place attachment. Brand awareness and brand image had significant positive effects on both identity and dependence, whereas perceived quality did not exhibit significant influence on either component.
Sixth, place attachment showed partially significant effects on regional development performance. Dependence significantly influenced economic, tourism, and socio-cultural effects, while identity did not significantly influence economic or tourism effects.
Seventh, in the relationship between person-based tourism storytelling and the identity dimension of place attachment, the lovemark dimensions of mystery, sensuality, and intimacy served as complete mediators. In the relationship between storytelling and dependence, these factors functioned as partial mediators.
Eighth, in the relationship between storytelling and identity, the brand equity components of brand awareness, perceived quality, and brand image served as complete mediators. In the relationship between storytelling and dependence, these components served as partial mediators.
Ninth, simple regression analyses demonstrated that all four storytelling components—uniqueness, educational value, understandability, and interest—significantly influenced both identity and dependence, indicating that each component independently contributes to the formation of place attachment.
Based on these empirical findings, this study proposes policy implications categorized into two major strategic directions: (1) establishing an integrated operational system for person-based tourism storytelling, and (2) promoting sustainable regional development through emotion-based tourism policy.
The first category, establishing an integrated operational system for person-based tourism storytelling, includes the following.
First, Ansan’s current administrative structure regarding Danwon Kim Hong-do—spanning the Festival Division, Tourism Division, and Public Relations Office—is fragmented across multiple departments, making integrated brand management difficult. It is therefore necessary to establish a dedicated organization or integrated brand management unit responsible for coordinating policies, content, and promotional functions centered on the symbolic figure of Kim Hong-do. Such organizational integration would enable Ansan to shift its identity from an industrial city to a cultural–artistic–tourism city grounded in the historical and artistic significance of Kim Hong-do, ultimately enhancing citizens’ place attachment and brand loyalty.
Second, a mid- to long-term brand management system is required for the continuous monitoring and enhancement of urban brand equity. This includes developing diagnostic indicators for brand awareness, perceived quality, and brand image, as well as institutionalizing perception surveys of residents and visitors to support objective policy evaluation and feedback mechanisms.
Third, an integrated linkage between sustainable regional development strategies and cultural policy is essential. UNWTO’s sustainable development indicators include not only economic factors but also resident participation, cultural identity, and social trust. The structural model identified in this study demonstrates the interconnectedness of storytelling, brand equity, and place attachment. Thus, local governments should move beyond fragmented policy frameworks and adopt integrated strategies aligned with sustainability (SDGs), facilitating mutually reinforcing development across cultural policy, regional economy, and tourism sectors.
The second category, promoting regional attachment and regional development through emotion-based tourism experiences, includes the following.
First, the study confirmed that place attachment significantly influences regional development performance. This underscores the importance of residents’ understanding and experience of local cultural symbols and identity. Therefore, a resident-participatory storytelling platform should be developed, enabling citizens to engage directly in the planning and operation of programs associated with the Kim Hong-do Festival, Danwon Art Museum, Danwon Art Festival, and Kim Hong-do Road. Programs such as “Kim Hong-do Class,” resident docent initiatives, and citizen-participatory cultural workshops can foster emotional bonds and place attachment, creating social cohesion and long-term cultural and tourism benefits.
Second, the findings demonstrate that person-based tourism storytelling influences regional development performance through emotional responses and brand equity, indicating its role as a strategic asset for urban economic growth. The success of character-based cultural products—such as the National Museum of Korea’s “Muse” series inspired by Kim Hong-do—illustrates the market potential of person-centered cultural content. Ansan should therefore pursue strategic content development that integrates commercialization and tourism initiatives, including diversified goods, experience-based storytelling tourism programs, and cultural product linkages.
Third, expansion of emotion-centered tourism policy is necessary. Story-based immersive programs, multisensory content utilizing visual, auditory, and gustatory elements, and community–visitor interaction programs can transform the city into an emotionally resonant “place of experience,” enhancing place attachment and brand loyalty.
Fourth, person-based storytelling should be linked to city-level strategic industries including tourism, exhibitions, cultural products, and the content industry. Such industrial expansion is expected to generate employment, activate local commercial districts, and promote cultural industry growth, ultimately supporting sustainable urban development.
This study clearly delineates the influence relationships among person-based tourism storytelling, place attachment, and regional development performance. The findings contribute to expanding the theoretical foundation for future studies and provide practical guidance for establishing regional development strategies utilizing tourism storytelling.