Assessing the Perceived Restorative Qualities of Vacation Destinations

The objective of this study was to develop a tool for assessing how and why a destination can facilitate vacationers’ recovery from mental fatigue. Using attention restoration theory as a theoretical foundation, this research developed an initial instrument for assessing the perceived restorative qualities of vacation destinations (i.e., perceived destination restorative quality [PDRQ]). A 30-item, six-factor structure of destination restorativeness was identified. The six dimensions are compatibility, extent, mentally away, physically away, discord, and fascination. The proposed PDRQ provides a baseline measure for understanding the specific restorative properties of a particular destination. The proposed PDRQ instrument can potentially be valuable to researchers and industry practitioners interested in planning, designing, and delivering optimal restorative vacation experiences. The assessment of how a tourism destination may provide restorative properties is an understudied area. This research brings much needed attention to this topic.