Analisis Peran Sumber Informasi Kredibel dalam Membentuk Sikap Wisatawan (Studi pada Destinasi Wisata Bahari di Maluku)

Abstract

Tourist information needs enable travelers to search for tourism-related information from various
sources. Relevant information sources provide credible details about the attributes of a destination.
The information obtained influences tourists’ evaluation of destination attributes and affects their
attitudes. Previous literature has found inconsistencies in tourist behavior before and after
obtaining information from such sources. This study aims to analyze the role of credible information
in shaping tourists’ attitudes toward destination attributes, by introducing information source
credibility as a moderating variable.
The research employed purposive sampling with the criterion of tourists who had never visited
Maluku. A total of 223 respondents participated, with data collected through a Google Form
questionnaire. Data processingand analysis were carried out using Structural Equation Modeling
(SEM) with SmartPLS software.
The findings indicate that the credibility of information sources, in providing credible information,
shaped tourists’ attitudes toward Maluku’s marine destinations in a negative direction. This study
addresses the gap showing that tourists’ attitudes change after receiving information from
information sources. It contributes by incorporating source credibility in conveying tourism
destination information. Furthermore, this study complements previous findings that behavioral
changes among tourists are influenced by risk and uncertainty (Su et al., 2022). Information
regarding risks and uncertainties received by tourists affects behavioral changes. This study also
extends Jensen’s (2016) research, which examined online information searches through websites in
influencing tourist behavior, by considering the impact of other information sources and their
credibility in shaping behavior.