INJECT Interdisciplinary Journal of Communication
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2025)

Parasocial Relationships as a Mediator of YouTube Vlog Credibility and Gen Z Travel Intentions

Ananda Nurul Fauziyah (Universitas Telkom, Kabupaten Bandung, Jawa Barat)
Ratih Hasanah Sudradjat (Universitas Telkom, Kabupaten Bandung, Jawa Barat)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 Jul 2025

Abstract

This study examined the influence of message credibility in educational travel vlogs on Generation Z’s travel intention, with parasocial relationships as a mediating variable. Using a quantitative descriptive approach and SEM-PLS analysis, data were collected from 400 active viewers of the YouTube channel @leonardoedwin. The results showed that message credibility had a significant effect on travel intention (β = 0.783) and parasocial relationships (β = 0.186). Parasocial relationships also significantly influenced travel intention (β = 0.512) and partially mediated the effect of message credibility (β = 0.401). These findings supported the Two-Step Flow Communication Theory, where content creators act as opinion leaders who influence audience behavior through emotional connection. The study concluded that a combination of informational credibility and parasocial engagement played a crucial role in shaping persuasive communication, particularly in fostering travel intention among Gen Z audiences in the digital era.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

inject

Publisher

Subject

Religion Computer Science & IT Environmental Science Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

Focus and Scope INJECT journal focuses on the discussion of interdisciplinary communication, social-religious research that includes culture, Media Communication using quantitative or qualitative research methods. This journal is a media to accommodate the result of field research of students, ...