Igniting creativity through travel: The roles of interest, cognitive flexibility, and destination information presentation style

Su, Lujun; Chen, Huixuan; Lin, Zhibin

Abstract

Despite the assumed link between tourism and creativity, research remains limited, and findings are inconsistent. This study draws on trait activation theory and broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions to propose a theoretical model that explores how environmental novelty influences tourist creativity. We argue that environmental novelty evokes interest, fostering cognitive flexibility and enhancing creativity. The presentation style of destination inform (statements or questions) impacts cognitive stimulation and creativity. We conducted a field quasi-experiment and four scenario-based experiments and found that a novel environment enhances the flexibility dimension of creativity, but not originality, through interest and cognitive flexibility. In addition, presenting information in a question style sparks cognitive stimulation and increases originality. The results provide valuable implications for tourists seeking to enhance creativity and for destination management organizations developing novel travel experiences that incorporate thought-provoking questions into their information presentation.

Citation

Su, L., Chen, H., & Lin, Z. (2025). Igniting creativity through travel: The roles of interest, cognitive flexibility, and destination information presentation style. Tourism Management, 111, Article 105228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105228

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 21, 2025
• Online Publication Date: May 27, 2025
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jun 4, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 4, 2025
• Journal: Tourism Management
• Print ISSN: 0261-5177
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-3193
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 111
• Article Number: 105228
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105228
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3967854