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Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3669-543X

Abstract

Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a religious destination attracting millions of tourists annually from Nepal and abroad, Lumbini offers a rich cultural and historical heritage. This study is, therefore, significant in exploring drivers of tourist satisfaction and the religious significance of Lumbini. This study employs a correlational research design and a quantitative approach to examine relationships among variables using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Data are collected using a survey questionnaire, yielding 403 valid responses after excluding incomplete data and outliers out of 500 returned questionnaires. Purposive sampling ensured the relevance of respondents to the research objectives. The study conducts Exploratory (EFA) and Confirmatory Analyses (CFA) before developing the structural hypothesised model. Likewise, hypotheses are tested using AMOS with maximum likelihood estimation, following a two-stage process of SEM. The analysis evaluates the structural relationships between exogenous and endogenous constructs. The study findings collectively confirm the significant positive relationships between all the exogenous constructs (service quality, accessibility, natural surroundings, religious events and safety / security) and the endogenous construct (overall satisfaction), thereby supporting all the hypotheses. This study is significant for academic research and practical policy making as it identifies the key factors influencing tourist satisfaction at Lumbini and addresses a critical gap in the literature on religious tourism. The findings can guide Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) in designing targeted interventions to enhance tourist satisfaction, thereby boosting Lumbini as a global destination.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21427/g5w3-7r95

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