TRJ (Tourism Research Journal)
Vol 10 No 1 (2026): (TRJ) Tourism Research Journal

Museum Experience Quality and Word of Mouth Intention: The Critical Role of Emotional Engagement as a Mediator

Triana Rosalina Dewi (Institut Pariwisata Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Emenina Tarigan (Institut Pariwisata Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Tri Djoko Sulistiyo (Institut Pariwisata Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Anita Swantari (Institut Pariwisata Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Nursyafiqah Binti Ramli (Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management,UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
10 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between museum experience quality, emotional engagement, and word of mouth intention in the context of cultural tourism. A quantitative approach was employed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with data collected from 160 visitors of Museum Wayang in Jakarta through purposive sampling. The results indicate that museum experience quality has a strong and significant effect on emotional engagement. Furthermore, emotional engagement significantly influences word of mouth intention. However, museum experience quality does not have a direct significant effect on word of mouth intention. The indirect effect test reveals that emotional engagement fully mediates the relationship between museum experience quality and word of mouth intention. These findings suggest that high-quality experiences alone are insufficient to stimulate recommendation behavior unless they evoke emotional responses. The study contributes to the tourism literature by highlighting the critical role of emotional engagement as a key mechanism linking experience and behavioral intention, particularly in the context of cultural museums in developing countries. Practically, the findings emphasize the importance of designing immersive and emotionally engaging museum experiences to enhance visitor advocacy. Keywords: museum experience quality, emotional engagement, word of mouth intention

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Journal Info

Abbrev

trj

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Environmental Science

Description

Tourism Research Journal is published twice a year in April and October containing articles result of thought and researches in social, economic and policy of tourism in general. This journal encompasses original research articles, review articles, and short communications, including: Tourism: ...