The Emotional Battle of The Sexes Game: Psychological Game Theory Applied to the Choice of Tourism

Purpose - Beach or mountain? This study focuses on the complex decision-making process travelers face when choosing a destination, highlighting the significant but understudied role of emotions in destination choice, particularly how emotional expectations influence tourism evaluation. The aim is...

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Main Authors: Jose M. Mas, Dr. Anett Erdmann, Dr. Kathrin Jaszus
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Faculty of tourism and hospitality management 2025-07-01
Series:Tourism and Hospitality Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://thm.fthm.hr/images/issues/vol31no2/4_Mas_Erdmann_Jaszus
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author Jose M. Mas
Dr. Anett Erdmann
Dr. Kathrin Jaszus
author_facet Jose M. Mas
Dr. Anett Erdmann
Dr. Kathrin Jaszus
author_sort Jose M. Mas
collection DOAJ
description Purpose - Beach or mountain? This study focuses on the complex decision-making process travelers face when choosing a destination, highlighting the significant but understudied role of emotions in destination choice, particularly how emotional expectations influence tourism evaluation. The aim is to derive insights for a strategic choice of image positioning. Methodology, Design, and Approach - Using psychological game theory, the study examines the emotional responses of German tourists in their choice of tourism type on the Balearic Islands, through neuromarketing techniques (EEG, SCR, HVR) and a value assessment survey. This approach models tourists’ decision-making processes in response to visual stimuli, incorporating perceived value and an “emotional care” parameter that accounts for the desire to meet the expectations of travel companions. Results - The study reveals clear differences between equilibria based on purely self-reported value judgments and those incorporating neural responses, highlighting the complexity of emotional influences on travel decisions. Originality - This research contributes to the field of tourism by detailing the interplay between emotional expectations, consideration, and trade-offs in travel decisions. It provides insights for the development of tailored marketing strategies that address emotional needs in order to increase satisfaction in shared travel decisions.
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spelling doaj-art-ca03fed864e04c11864d685e35a8a06e2025-08-20T03:32:37ZengFaculty of tourism and hospitality managementTourism and Hospitality Management1330-75331847-33772025-07-0131221522810.20867/thm.31.2.4The Emotional Battle of The Sexes Game: Psychological Game Theory Applied to the Choice of TourismJose M. Mas0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2931-1235Dr. Anett Erdmann1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6194-568XDr. Kathrin Jaszus2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3650-2910Vice-Rector for Academic Policy and Faculty ESIC University; ESIC Business & Marketing SchoolDirector of the Academic Marketing Department ESIC University; ESIC Business & Marketing SchooAssistant Professor, Trier University of Applied Sciences Business SchoolPurpose - Beach or mountain? This study focuses on the complex decision-making process travelers face when choosing a destination, highlighting the significant but understudied role of emotions in destination choice, particularly how emotional expectations influence tourism evaluation. The aim is to derive insights for a strategic choice of image positioning. Methodology, Design, and Approach - Using psychological game theory, the study examines the emotional responses of German tourists in their choice of tourism type on the Balearic Islands, through neuromarketing techniques (EEG, SCR, HVR) and a value assessment survey. This approach models tourists’ decision-making processes in response to visual stimuli, incorporating perceived value and an “emotional care” parameter that accounts for the desire to meet the expectations of travel companions. Results - The study reveals clear differences between equilibria based on purely self-reported value judgments and those incorporating neural responses, highlighting the complexity of emotional influences on travel decisions. Originality - This research contributes to the field of tourism by detailing the interplay between emotional expectations, consideration, and trade-offs in travel decisions. It provides insights for the development of tailored marketing strategies that address emotional needs in order to increase satisfaction in shared travel decisions.https://thm.fthm.hr/images/issues/vol31no2/4_Mas_Erdmann_Jaszustourism advertisingpsychological game theoryneuromarketingvalue assessmentemotional assessment
spellingShingle Jose M. Mas
Dr. Anett Erdmann
Dr. Kathrin Jaszus
The Emotional Battle of The Sexes Game: Psychological Game Theory Applied to the Choice of Tourism
Tourism and Hospitality Management
tourism advertising
psychological game theory
neuromarketing
value assessment
emotional assessment
title The Emotional Battle of The Sexes Game: Psychological Game Theory Applied to the Choice of Tourism
title_full The Emotional Battle of The Sexes Game: Psychological Game Theory Applied to the Choice of Tourism
title_fullStr The Emotional Battle of The Sexes Game: Psychological Game Theory Applied to the Choice of Tourism
title_full_unstemmed The Emotional Battle of The Sexes Game: Psychological Game Theory Applied to the Choice of Tourism
title_short The Emotional Battle of The Sexes Game: Psychological Game Theory Applied to the Choice of Tourism
title_sort emotional battle of the sexes game psychological game theory applied to the choice of tourism
topic tourism advertising
psychological game theory
neuromarketing
value assessment
emotional assessment
url https://thm.fthm.hr/images/issues/vol31no2/4_Mas_Erdmann_Jaszus
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