How Celebrity Endorsement Affects Travel Intention: Evidence From Tourism Live Streaming

Celebrity endorsements via live streaming continue to draw attention in the tourism industry. This research examines the effects of such endorsements on tourism live streaming. We specifically compared celebrity streamers to key opinion leader streamers and brand streamers across two types of live streaming (travel live streaming vs. tourism e-commerce live streaming). Drawing on the flow theory, we developed a theoretical framework to explain why and how celebrity streamers can inspire travel intention more effectively than key opinion leader streamers and brand streamers. Results indicate that celebrity streamers’ endorsements enhance travel intention via informativity, entertainment, and interactivity, compared with endorsements from key opinion leaders and brand streamers. This effect is further amplified during travel live streaming.