This study empirically analyzed the influence of the medical tourism image of South Korea and perceived value on tourists’ visit intention. To achieve this, an extended research model was proposed, integrating Destination-Self Congruity Theory with ...
This study empirically analyzed the influence of the medical tourism image of South Korea and perceived value on tourists’ visit intention. To achieve this, an extended research model was proposed, integrating Destination-Self Congruity Theory with the foundational Theory of Planned Behavior(TPB). While the traditional TPB explains visit intention through three factors—Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Perceived Behavioral Control—this study established medical tourism image and perceived value as antecedents within the specific context of Korean medical tourism, and verified their direct and indirect paths to behavioral intention. Research data were collected through a survey targeting foreign tourists who have either experienced Korean medical tourism or expressed interest in it. Hypotheses were tested using SPSS analysis. The results showed that the medical tourism image of South Korea had a significant positive (+) influence on perceived value. Perceived value, in turn, indirectly influenced behavioral intention through the mediating factors of Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Perceived Behavioral Control, while also demonstrating a direct influence. Furthermore, Destination-Self Congruity was found to partially moderate the relationship between perceived value and perceived behavioral control. These findings empirically underscore the importance of cognitive and affective value in the formation process of medical tourism visit intention. They are significant as they expand the traditional TPB model, thereby enhancing the theoretical explanatory power within the medical tourism sector. This study suggests the necessity of an integrated approach for future medical tourism marketing strategies— one that goes beyond simple service quality enhancement to consider tourists’ self-identity and affective congruity.
Keywords:Medical tourism, Medical tourism image, Perceived value, Visit intention, Theory of Planned Behavior, Destination self-congruity