The Impact of Wellness Tourism Experiences on Life Satisfaction Among Generation Z Travelers: The Mediating Role of Mental Well-Being
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The increasing awareness of holistic health and quality of life has encouraged the growth of wellness tourism as a form of travel that provides physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual benefits. Generation Z, who faces various challenges such as digital fatigue, stress, and lifestyle pressures, increasingly seeks meaningful travel experiences that support mental recovery and self-development. This study aimed to examine the relationship between wellness tourism experiences, mental well-being, and life satisfaction among Generation Z travelers, while investigating the mediating role of mental well-being in explaining the mechanism underlying the relationship between wellness tourism experiences and life satisfaction.This study employed a quantitative approach using an explanatory cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 412 Generation Z travelers who had participated in wellness tourism activities. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. The findings showed that wellness tourism experiences had a positive and significant effect on mental well-being (β = 0.698; p < 0.001) and life satisfaction (β = 0.284; p < 0.001). Mental well-being also had a significant effect on life satisfaction (β = 0.721; p < 0.001). Furthermore, mental well-being partially mediated the relationship between wellness tourism experiences and life satisfaction (β = 0.503; p < 0.001).The findings indicate that wellness tourism experiences contribute to improving Generation Z travelers’ life satisfaction primarily through enhanced mental well-being. This study highlights the importance of designing wellness tourism programs that emphasize psychological recovery, meaningful experiences, and sustainable well-being outcomes.
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