Exploring the influence of soundscape on visitors’ emotional experience and stickiness to attractions

This study investigates and compares the effects of both subjective and objective soundscapes on visitors' emotional responses and stickiness (i.e. their intention to stay) toward an attraction. Following the soundwalk approach, this study utilizes sound level meters and questionnaires to measure the objective and subjective soundscapes, respectively. The results indicate that subjective soundscape encompasses three dimensions, namely pleasant, unpleasant, and uneventful, which influence visitor stickiness. Moreover, both positive and negative emotions mediate the effects of subjective soundscape on visitors' stickiness. The findings provide insights into the evaluation of soundscapes in visitor attractions and guide their design and management.