Destination image national identity youth career aspirations and support for tourism in an emerging destination

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This study redefines assistance as a symbolic and prospective activity. An integrated model connecting destination image, national identity, tourism career aspirations, and behavioral intention to support tourism is examined through survey data from 418 Saudi university students, utilizing structural equation modeling, based on destination image theory, social identity theory, and the theory of planned behavior. The findings indicate a sequential mechanism: the destination image enhances national identity, which in turn influences tourism job goals, and these aspirations are the most significant predictors of support for tourism. Serial mediation substantiates that imagery affects support via identification and aspiration. The findings establish resident support as an identity-driven perspective on envisioned futures and emphasize the role of youth in ensuring tourism sustainability in swiftly evolving destinations. Destination image National identity Tourism career aspirations Behavioral intention Youth Saudi Arabia SEM Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 1. Introduction In the last decade, Saudi Arabia has initiated one of the most ambitious changes in global tourism. Under Vision 2030, tourism has transitioned from a marginal activity to a fundamental component of economic diversification, social transformation, and global repositioning. Mega-projects like NEOM, AlUla, the Red Sea Project, Diriyah Gate, and Qiddiya represent not just infrastructural investments but also emblematic declarations of national identity and aspirations. In this framework, tourist development is intrinsically linked to overarching themes of national identity, modernization, and future direction. The enduring viability of this change relies not solely on capital investment and visitor demand, but also on the robustness of local support, especially among the youth. Saudi youth will form the future labor force, hosts, and cultural mediators of these locales. Their involvement in tourism consequently has implications that go beyond mere attitudinal endorsement to include identity development, vocational selection, and social validation. Comprehending the relationship between youthful citizens and tourism is essential for the social viability of developing locations. Research in tourism has conclusively demonstrated the significance of resident support for sustainable development (Stylidis et al., 2014 ; Nunkoo and Ramkissoon, 2010 ). This literature has predominantly framed support as a response to perceived economic, social, and environmental effects. Although these models have produced significant insights, they are increasingly inadequate in scenarios where tourism is integrated into national transformation initiatives. Recent research indicates that locals' reactions to tourism are influenced not solely by cost-benefit evaluations but also by symbolic and psychological factors associated with pride, belonging, and envisioned futures (Stylidis et al., 2020 ; Erul & Woosnam, 2021 ). These observations indicate a necessity for models that transcend transactional assessments and encapsulate the significance of tourism in inhabitants' lives. Three gaps remain notably prominent. Existing research seldom consolidates goal image, identity processes, future orientation, and behavioral intention within a unified explanatory framework. Secondly the group most directly involved in future tourism systems—are underrepresented in resident-support research, which largely relies on generic adult samples. Third, rising places in the Middle East, although experiencing significant tourism-driven transformation, remain peripheral in high-impact tourism scholarship. This study investigates the engagement of Saudi youth with the evolving idea of their country as a tourism destination and how these perceptions influence identity, career orientation, and behavioral intentions. This study examines the extent to which a favorable destination image enhances national identity, whether this identity cultivates aspirations for professions in tourism, and how these aspirations influence the desire to promote tourist growth. By conceptualizing these interactions as a sequential process, the study perceives support not as a static attitude but as a proactive orientation towards national and personal goals. The research presents three contributions. Initially, it enhances resident-support theory by amalgamating destination image, Social Identity Theory, and the Theory of Planned Behavior into a cohesive framework designed for emerging destinations. Secondly, it presents tourism career goals as a significant yet underexamined mechanism connecting symbolic place perceptions to behavioral intentions (Abou-Shouk et al., 2023 ; Boz, 2025 ). Third, it presents theory-driven empirical evidence from Saudi Arabia, broadening the geographical and conceptual dimensions of tourism research and providing insights pertinent to policy and planning in quickly evolving environments. The study reconceptualizes resident support as an identity-driven and forward-looking approach. In rising places, tourism is not only an occurrence for locals; it serves as a medium through which individuals conceptualize their identities and potential futures. 2. Literature Review Research on residents’ support for tourism has traditionally been grounded in impact-based and rational exchange perspectives, if individuals evaluate tourism primarily through perceived economic, social, and environmental consequences (Nunkoo & Ramkissoon, 2010 ). While this approach has yielded important insights, it is increasingly inadequate in contexts where tourism is embedded in broader projects of social and national transformation. Recent scholarship demonstrates that residents’ orientations toward tourism are shaped not only by cost–benefit calculations but also by symbolic, relational, and identity-based processes (Stylidis et al., 2014 ; Stylidis et al., 2020 ; Erul & Woosnam, 2021 ). This shift reflects a reconceptualization of residents as active meaning-makers who interpret tourism through lenses of belonging, pride, and imagined futures (Crespi-Vallbona & López-Villanueva, 2024 ). Within this identity-oriented turn, support is no longer viewed as a static attitude but as a dynamic orientation shaped by how tourism is integrated into residents’ understanding of self and society—an insight that is especially salient in emerging destinations undergoing rapid transformation. 2.1. Destination image as a symbolic resource for residents Destination image has long been conceptualized as a marketing construct shaping tourists’ perceptions and behavior (Baloglu & McCleary, 1999 ; Echtner & Ritchie, 1991 , 2003 ; Tasci & Gartner, 2007 ). A growing body of research, however, demonstrates that destination image also operates internally, shaping how residents understand their place and their relationship to it. (Stylidis et al., 2014 ) show that residents’ place image predicts support for tourism even after controlling for perceived impacts, reframing image as a socially embedded representation rather than a purely promotional artefact. Subsequent work indicates that destination image structures emotional solidarity and behavioral orientations, linking symbolic place meanings to relational and affective processes among residents (Stylidis et al., 2020 ). (Hanna et al., 2020 ) extend this logic by conceptualizing place branding as an internal mechanism of meaning-making through which communities negotiate identity and development trajectories. For residents, destination image communicates shared value, recognition, and potential. Empirical studies confirm that a positive destination image enhances engagement, advocacy, and pro-sustainable behavior (Šerić et al., 2024 ; Cao et al., 2024 ). (Lever et al., 2022 ) further demonstrate that destination image and national identification are interdependent, jointly shaping pride and promotional behavior. These findings position destination image as a symbolic resource that conveys “who we are” and “how we are seen.” For youth in emerging destinations, such representations extend beyond attractiveness to visitors and become signals of opportunity, legitimacy, and future orientation. Destination image thus constitutes the entry point through which tourism narratives acquire personal and collective significance. 2.2. Identity and the Internalization of Place Meaning Social Identity Theory (Tajfel and Turner, 1978, 1986 ) provides a framework for understanding how symbolic place representations become self-relevant. Individuals derive part of their self-conception from membership in salient social groups, including the nation and community. In tourism contexts, destination narratives communicate cues regarding collective status, pride, and belonging. (Stylidis et al., 2020 ) demonstrate that emotional solidarity and place-based meanings significantly predict residents’ behavioral orientations, indicating that identity processes mediate responses to tourism. (Lever et al., 2022 ) show that stronger national identification is associated with destination advocacy, while (Erul and Woosnam, 2021 , 2024 ) provide evidence that identity-based mechanisms shape both supportive and oppositional behaviors. Destination image becomes consequential because it is filtered through identity processes. External representations of place are internalized as in-group meaning, transforming promotional narratives into self-relevant symbols. (Eitzenberger and Thimm, 2024 ) highlight that resident and outsider images often diverge, underscoring that destination image is fundamentally intertwined with community self-perception. (Amani et al., 2025 ) further demonstrate that psychological ownership and ethnocentrism link place perceptions to identity-driven orientations. In emerging destinations, where tourism is closely aligned with national repositioning, destination image serves as a conduit for collective pride and belonging. Positive representations of place reinforce national identity, particularly among youth navigating self-definition. Through this process, symbolic place meanings become integrated into the self-concept, shaping how individuals locate themselves within broader national trajectories. 2.3. Future Orientation: Career Aspirations and Behavioral Intention Identity does not only structure evaluation; it also guides future orientation. Research shows that social identification influences participation, engagement, and life-course decisions (Qin et al., 2024 ). (Lever et al., 2022 ) demonstrates that national identification motivates advocacy, while (Erul and Woosnam, 2021 ) links emotional solidarity to active involvement in tourism-related processes. ( Luzuriaga et al., 2025 ) find that students with strong cultural identity exhibit heightened interest in tourism-related programs, indicating that identity informs educational and career trajectories. Tourism career aspirations therefore represent more than occupational preference; they reflect future-oriented commitment and anticipated participation. Studies of tourism education and employment show that perceptions of prestige, growth, and relevance shape willingness to pursue tourism careers (Richardson, 2009 ; Teng, 2008 ; Setiyorini et al., 2015). (Abou-Shouk et al., 2023 ) demonstrate that work intention in tourism is shaped by perceived relevance and cultural alignment, while (Boz, 2025 ) links career expectations in tourism to broader life satisfaction and entrepreneurial orientation. In emerging destinations, where tourism is publicly framed as a national growth engine, career aspirations acquire additional symbolic weight: choosing tourism becomes choosing a role within collective transformation. The Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991 ) clarifies how these meanings translate into action. Behavioral intention represents the proximal antecedent of behavior, shaped by attitudes, norms, and perceived control. In resident contexts, these components are informed by how tourism is understood, valued, and socially situated. Empirical work confirms that residents’ behavioral orientations are not driven solely by surface-level attitudes. (Stylidis et al., 2020 ) show that psychological integration and emotional solidarity predict supportive intentions, while (Erul and Woosnam, 2021 ) demonstrate that deeper motivational processes underpin behavioral support. (Gautam, 2023 ) further finds that perceived personal relevance enhances commitment to sustainable tourism development. Behavioral intention thus marks the point at which symbolic meaning becomes actionable orientation. Taken together, destination image theory, Social Identity Theory, and the Theory of Planned Behavior outline a coherent developmental pathway. Destination image conveys symbolic meaning about place (Baloglu & McCleary, 1999 ; Stylidis et al., 2014 ; Hanna et al., 2020 ). Identity processes transform these representations into in-group meaning (Tajfel and Turner, 1978, 1986 ; Lever et al., 2022 ), while career aspirations operationalize this meaning at the level of personal futures (Abou-Shouk et al., 2023 ; Boz, 2025 ). Behavioral intention then emerges as the point at which symbolic meaning becomes actionable orientation (Ajzen, 1991 ; Erul and Woosnam, 2021 ). In emerging destinations, where tourism is intertwined with national becoming, this sequence is particularly salient for young people, for whom tourism becomes a site where collective transformation and individual aspiration intersect. 3. Hypothesis Development This study conceptualizes residents’ support for tourism as a sequential, identity-driven, and future-oriented process. Destination image initiates this process, national identity and tourism career aspirations act as key mechanisms, and behavioral intention is the outcome—dynamics that are especially salient for Saudi youth within a national transformation context. 3.1. Destination image and national identity Destination image functions as a socially embedded representation through which residents evaluate place and collective status. Prior studies show that residents’ place image shapes emotional responses, engagement, and tourism-related behavior (Stylidis et al., 2014 ; Stylidis et al., 2024 ). Destination narratives act as internal meaning-making mechanisms (Hanna et al., 2020 ), while stronger national identification is associated with more favorable destination perceptions and advocacy (Lever et al., 2022 ). Positive destination images further enhance satisfaction and supportive behavior (Šerić et al., 2024 ; Cao et al., 2024 ) and are closely tied to identity-based responses ( Song & Jeongmyeong, 2025 ). Differences between resident and outsider images highlight the role of image in community self-perception (Eitzenberger & Thimm, 2024 ), and positive place perceptions foster psychological ownership and ethnocentric orientations toward tourism (Amani et al., 2025 ). In rapidly transforming contexts, destination images become a key mechanism through which young residents internalize pride and belonging. This study puts forth the following proposal: H1. A positive destination image significantly strengthens young residents’ national identity. 3.2. Destination image and tourism career aspirations Destination image shapes how residents interpret place and envision their futures. Research shows that perceptions of tourism influence behavioral orientations and long-term expectations (Wattanacharoensil, 2025 ; Crespi-Vallbona & Villanueva, 2024). Place image further affects residents’ evaluations of tourism development and willingness to engage in future directions (Stylidis et al., 2014 ; Chen & Šegota, 2015). At the individual level, perceptions of tourism and self-image guide career choice, as students’ views of the sector shape professional aspirations ( Setiyorini et al., 2015 ). In emerging destinations such as Saudi Arabia, where tourism is framed as a growth engine, a positive destination image legitimizes tourism as a respected and viable career path for youth. This research presents the subsequent proposal: H2. A positive destination image directly enhances young residents’ aspirations to pursue a career in tourism. 3.3. National identity and tourism career aspirations Identification with social and national groups shapes tourism’ attitudes and future behavior. Social identity guides involvement and life decisions ( Qin, 2024 ), while emotional solidarity strengthens participation in tourism development (Erul and Woosnam, 2021 ). National identity fosters pride and destination advocacy (Lever et al., 2022 ) and is linked to youth interest in tourism education and careers ( Luzuriaga et al., 2025 ). Collectively, these findings show that national identity aligns individual aspirations with collective goals, encouraging young residents to view tourism as a meaningful career pathway. This study presents the following proposal: H3. Stronger national identity significantly encourages young residents to consider tourism-related careers. 3.4. Tourism career aspirations and behavioral intention Tourism career aspirations reflect young residents’ expectation of benefiting from sectoral growth, creating a personal stake that strengthens pro-tourism intentions. Such aspirations represent psychological commitment to the industry (Boz, 2025 ; Abou-Shouk et al., 2023 ). Economic ties to tourism foster supportive attitudes (Nunkoo & Ramkissoon, 2010 ), while perceived quality-of-life gains enhance backing for sustainable development (Gautam, 2023 ). When youth anticipate personal benefits, they align tourism with their future, increasing their intention to support its development. This study puts forward the following proposal: H4. Higher tourism career aspirations strongly predict young residents’ behavioral intention to support tourism development. 3.5. Identity and career as mediating mechanisms Destination image shapes future-oriented intentions through identity-based mechanisms. Residents interpret symbolic place representations within identity frameworks that structure meaning and belonging (Stylidis et al., 2020 ; Hanna et al., 2020 ). Identity guides how perceptions translate into behavioral orientations ( Qin, 2024; Erul and Woosnam, 2024 ), and stronger national identification amplifies the behavioral impact of place perceptions (Lever et al., 2022 ). Further research shows that destination image affects intentions mainly through intermediary psychological processes rather than direct paths (Afshardoost and Eshaghi, 2020 ; Abou-Shouk et al., 2023 ). In emerging destinations, favorable destination images are internalized by youth with strong national identity, shaping goals and career orientations. National identity thus links symbolic place assessments to professional aspiration. This results in the subsequent hypothesis: H5. National identity mediates the relationship between destination image and tourism career aspirations. Destination image shapes residents’ support through future-oriented motivational pathways rather than direct attitudes. Early research shows that expected personal benefits enhance support (Nunkoo & Ramkissoon, 2010 ) , while later studies emphasize deeper motivational and psychological processes (Erul and Woosnam, 2021 ). Recent work demonstrates that destination image influences how residents position themselves within tourism and orient toward engagement (Stylidis et al., 2020 ; Šerić et al., 2024 ), especially when personal interests are salient. Career-oriented research further clarifies this mechanism: aspirations for tourism employment reflect strong commitment and alignment with tourism as a life path (Abou-Shouk et al., 2023 ; Boz, 2025 ). Individuals who envision careers in tourism perceive development as opportunity rather than disruption, and those anticipating personal benefits show stronger behavioral support (Gautam, 2023 ). Psychological engagement mechanisms, such as emotional solidarity, translate perceptions into action (Stylidis et al., 2025 ). Together, these findings indicate that destination image acts as a symbolic stimulus, while tourism career aspirations convert it into actionable commitment, particularly in emerging destinations where tourism underpins national progress and employment. This results in the subsequent hypothesis: H6. Tourism career aspirations mediate the relationship between destination image and behavioral intention to support tourism development. Destination image influences residents’ support through socio-psychological mechanisms that link symbolic place meanings with identity and aspiration. Meta-analytic evidence shows that its effects operate mainly through intermediary processes rather than direct paths (Afshardoost and Eshaghi, 2020 ). In residential contexts, destination image is embedded in relational and emotional processes shaping residents perceived role in tourism (Stylidis et al., 2020 ). Positive place representations become markers of “who we are” and “where we are going,” while stronger national identity is associated with pro-destination behaviors such as advocacy (Lever et al., 2022 ). Identity-related mechanisms, including psychological ownership and brand patriotism, further transmit place perceptions into tourism-oriented action (Amani et al., 2025 ). When national identity is activated, tourism is reframed as a personally meaningful avenue aligned with collective progress. Career research shows that tourism work intentions reflect deep commitment and self-congruence (Abou-Shouk et al., 2023 ; Boz, 2025 ), and perceived personal benefits strengthen support (Erul and Woosnam, 2021 ; Gautam, 2023 ). Together, these studies indicate a sequential pathway in which destination image strengthens national identity, identity fosters tourism career aspirations, and aspirations translate symbolic meanings into behavioral support. Thus, H7. Destination image influences behavioral intention to support tourism through the sequential mediation of national identity and tourism career aspirations. The theoretical framework is based on destination image as the key external effect. Destination Image influences National Identity, which affects Tourism Career Aspirations and Behavioral Intention to Support Tourism (Fig. 1 ). Tourism career objectives affect image and identity and are the best predictor of supporting behavior. 4. Methodology 4.1. Research Design and Data Collection This study adopts a quantitative, cross-sectional design to examine the relationships among Saudi youths’ national identity, destination image, tourism career aspirations, and behavioral intention to support tourism development. Data was collected using a structured survey administered to university students across multiple institutions. Saudi youth were selected because they represent a critical transitional group between education and labor market entry, making them particularly relevant for examining career aspirations and future-oriented behavioral intentions. The online survey was distributed to residents in Saudi Arabia, ensuring voluntary and anonymous participation. After screening for completeness and consistency, 418 valid responses were retained for analysis, providing an adequate sample for covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM). 4.2. Sampling and Procedure A non-probability convenience sampling approach was employed. Eligibility required respondents to be at least 18 years old and current residents. The final sample exceeds recommended thresholds for SEM and for detecting indirect effects. The instrument was pilot tested with 35 residents to ensure clarity and cultural appropriateness. Translation and back-translation procedures were applied to ensure linguistic equivalence in Arabic and English (Brislin, 1980 ). 4.3. Measurement of the Constructs All constructions were measured using validated multi-item scales adapted from prior studies. Saudi youths’ national identity, destination image, tourism career aspirations, and behavioral intention to support tourism development. were assessed using five-point Likert-type items (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). The selection and adaptation of measures followed established SEM guidelines to ensure construct validity and reliability (Hair et al., 2019 ). Table 1 reports the items and their original sources. Data was analysed using covariance-based structural equation modeling in Jamovi, enabling simultaneous estimation of the measurement and structural models and the testing of sequential mediation effects. Table 1 Measurement Scales Construct Measurement Items Scale Sources National Identity Tourism helps strengthen our national identity. I feel proud when tourists admire our culture. 1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree Tajfel and Turner ( 2001 ); Tasci et al. ( 2021 ) Destination Image My country is seen as an attractive tourist destination. Tourists feel safe and welcome in our country. 1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree Echtner & Ritchie ( 1991 , 2003 ); Stylidis et al. ( 2014 ) Tourism Career Aspiration I am interested in pursuing a career in tourism. Tourism provides diverse and rewarding career paths. 1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree Richardson,S. (2009); Teng, C. C. (2008 ) Behavioral Intention to Support Tourism I will recommend my country as a tourist destination. I support policies that encourage tourism development. 1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree Stylidis et al. ( 2014 ); Nunkoo et al. (2020 ) 4.4. Ethical Considerations Ethical aspects of the study are detailed in the Ethical Declarations section. 5. Results The results are presented in three stages: assessment of the measurement model, evaluation of the structural relationships, and examination of indirect and mediation effects. 5.1. Descriptive Statistics Demographics are in Table 2 . The final 418 participants were 52.2% male and 47.8% female. Gender balance makes systemic gender bias unlikely. Sample was mostly young. Most respondents were 18–24 (65.3%), then 25–34 (22.7%). Under 18 and over 35 made up 3.1%. Saudi youth attitudes affect tourism, employment, and national growth. 97.8% are undergrads, 2.2% postgrads. Youth profiles fit survey dissemination pathways and emphasize educated youth. This focus may limit generalizability to elderly or non-student inhabitants, but it is ideal for assessing evolving stakeholder attitudes toward tourist development that will affect future tourism support. Table 2 Descriptive measures of the sample data N % Gender Female 200 47.84% Male 218 52.2% Age under 18 13 3.1% 18–24 273 65.3% 25–34 95 22.7% 35–44 28 6.7% 45–54 9 2.2% Level of Study Undergraduate 409 97.8% Postgraduate 9 2.2% 5.2. Measurement Model Assessment Measurement model parameters show significant loading on latent constructs for all variables (p < .001), matching reflective measurement standards in tourist research (Hair et al., 2022 ). The standardized loadings range from 0.590 for Di2 to 0.928 for Ni1, demonstrating that the observed items accurately represent their underlying dimensions. High item reliabilities were detected for Ni1 (R² = 0.860), Ni2 (R² = 0.823), and Tca3 (R² = 0.809), with most indicators accounting for over 50% of variance (R² > 0.50). Even the lowest-loaded item is suitable for perceptual components in tourist studies, because individual ratings vary. Table 3 shows large and statistically significant loadings, supporting item-level convergent validity. This validates accurate and conceptually clear latent construct measurement. Table 3 Measurement model Latent Indicator Std. est Std. err z-value p R² Bist1: I will recommend my country as a tourist destination. 0.810 0.025 33.06 < .001 0.657 Behavioral Intention to Support Tourism (Bist) Bist2: I support policies that encourage tourism development. 0.833 0.022 37.58 < .001 0.693 Di1: My country is seen as an attractive tourist destination. 0.695 0.031 22.73 < .001 0.483 Destination Image Di2: The tourism infrastructure is well-developed. 0.590 0.038 15.48 < .001 0.348 Di3: Tourists feel safe and welcome in our country. 0.921 0.025 37.23 < .001 0.849 Ni1: Tourism helps strengthen our national identity. 0.928 0.016 56.93 < .001 0.860 National Identity (Ni) Ni2: Cultural tourism increases pride in local traditions. 0.907 0.015 59.74 < .001 0.823 Tca1: I am interested in pursuing a career in tourism 0.695 0.030 23.19 < .001 0.483 Tourism Career Aspirations (Tca) Tca2: Tourism provides diverse and rewarding career paths 0.798 0.025 32.18 < .001 0.636 Tca3: I see tourism as a respected professional field 0.900 0.018 49.58 < .001 0.809 The underlying constructions demonstrate acceptable psychometric properties. Table 4 indicates that internal consistency is demonstrated through Cronbach’s alpha (0.700–0.844) and McDonald’s omega (0.623–0.834), both of which surpass the established thresholds in tourism research (Hair et al., 2019 ; Hayes & Coutts, 2020 ). Convergent validity is confirmed, as all AVE values exceed the 0.50 threshold, demonstrating that each construction accounts for the majority of variance in its indicators (Hair et al., 2020 ). The findings presented in (Table 4 ) substantiate that the measurement model establishes a dependable and valid basis for the structural analysis. Table 4 Construct Reliability and Convergent Validity Measures Coefficient α Coefficient ω AVE Di 0.727 0.623 0.560 Ni 0.844 0.834 0.842 Bist 0.700 0.709 0.675 Tca 0.747 0.753 0.643 Total 0.876 0.886 Rigorous item purification was conducted to ensure discriminant validity among the four latent constructs (Table 5 ). In the initial model, Bist3 generated an HTMT value of 0.929 between Behavioral Intention (Bist) and Tourism Career Aspirations, exceeding the 0.90 threshold ( Henseler, 2015 ). After its removal, the HTMT between Bist and National Identity (Ni) rose to 0.905 due to Ni3 . Sequential deletion of Bist3 and Ni3 reduced all HTMT values below 0.90, confirming that Destination Image (Di), National Identity (Ni), Tourism Career Aspirations (Tca), and Behavioral Intention (Bist) are empirically distinct while remaining theoretically related. Table 5 HTMT Di Ni Bist Tca Di 1.000 Ni 0.784 1.000 Bist 0.836 0.858 1.000 Tca 0.709 0.740 0.870 1.000 5.3. Structural Model Evaluation The proposed structural model demonstrates an excellent fit to the data (Table 6 ). Estimation using diagonally weighted least squares yields a non-significant chi-square (χ²(27) = 33.55, p = .179), indicating adequate model fit (Kline, 2024 ). Complementary indices further confirm this adequacy, with CFI = 0.972, TLI = 0.954, and GFI = 0.998, all exceeding recommended benchmarks in tourism research ( Sathyanarayana & Mohanasundaram, 2024). The RMSEA is notably low (0.024), well below the 0.06 threshold (Kline, 2024 ), indicating minimal approximation error. Collectively, these statistics provide strong empirical support for the adequacy of both the measurement and structural components of the model. Table 6 Goodness-of-Fit Indices for the Structural Equation Model N χ² df p RMSEA Comparative Fit Index (CFI) Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) Goodness of fit index (GFI) 418 33.55 27.00 .179 0.024 0.972 0.954 0.998 Note. Estimator is DWLS. Standard errors and fit indices are robust. 5.4. Direct Effects The structural relationships display a clear developmental pattern (Table 7 ). Destination Image strongly predicts National Identity (β = 0.838, p < .001) and significantly influences Tourism Career Aspirations (β = 0.446, p < .001) and Behavioral Intention (β = 0.266, p < .001). Tourism Career Aspirations emerge as the strongest direct predictor of Behavioral Intention (β = 0.540, p < .001), while National Identity contributes to both Tourism Career Aspirations (β = 0.373, p = .001) and Behavioral Intention (β = 0.233, p = .002). Together, these results indicate a sequence in which destination image shape’s identity, identity informs ambitious professional orientations, and aspirations drive support for tourism development. Table 7 Direct Effects and Standardized Regression Coefficients 95% Confidence interval Outcome Predictor Std. estimate Std. Error z-value P Lower Upper Bist Di 0.266 0.076 3.512 < .001 0.118 0.415 Ni 0.233 0.073 3.169 .002 0.089 0.377 Tca 0.540 0.053 10.136 < .001 0.435 0.644 Ni Di 0.838 0.028 30.069 < .001 0.783 0.893 Tca Di 0.446 0.120 3.722 < .001 0.211 0.681 Ni 0.373 0.115 3.243 .001 0.147 0.598 Final structural model clearly reinforces influence hierarchy. Figure 2 shows a strong link between Destination Image and National Identity (Di → Ni = 0.84) and Tourism Career Aspirations and Behavioral Intention (Tca → Bist = 0.54), supporting the statistical analysis's primary processes. The graphic shows how destination perceptions, identity formation, and future-oriented professional imaginaries affect citizens' tourism development support. 5.5. Indirect Effects and Mediation Analysis The mediation results indicate a methodical way destination impressions develop tourism support. Table 8 indicates that National Identity has the greatest indirect impact on Tourism Career Aspirations (Di → Ni → Tca; β = 0.312, p < .001). Place image can shape identity and job choices. Tourism Career Aspirations influence the link between Destination Image and Behavioral Intention (Di → Tca → Bist; β = 0.241, p < .001). National Identity indirectly affects professional support via aspirations (Ni → Tca → Bist; β = 0.201, p = .004). A significant serial pathway (Di → Ni → Tca → Bist; β = 0.169, p = .003) links image, identity, and future objectives to behavioral support, partially mediated by indirect channels. Table 8 Standardized Estimates of Indirect Effects 95% Confidence interval Std. estimate Std. Error z-value P Lower Upper Di → Ni → Tca 0.312 0.094 3.309 < .001 0.127 0.498 Di → Ni → Tca → Bist 0.169 0.057 2.971 .003 0.057 0.280 Di → Ni → Bist 0.195 0.062 3.130 .002 0.073 0.317 Di → Tca → Bist 0.241 0.064 3.735 < .001 0.114 0.367 Ni → Tca → Bist 0.201 0.069 2.906 .004 0.065 0.337 Destination Image dominates the structure (Table 9 ), strongly influencing Behavioral Intention (β = 0.871), Tourism Career Aspirations (β = 0.759), and National Identity (β = 0.838). National Identity plays a mediating role with moderate effects on Behavioral Intention (β = 0.434) and Tourism Career Aspirations (β = 0.373), while Tourism Career Aspirations remain the strongest immediate driver of behavioral Intention (β = 0.540). Table 9 Standardized Estimates of Total Effects 95% Confidence interval Std. estimate Std. Error z-value P Lower Upper Di → Tca 0.759 0.039 19.705 < .001 0.683 0.834 Di → Bist 0.871 0.026 34.009 < .001 0.820 0.921 Di → Ni 0.838 0.028 30.069 < .001 0.783 0.893 Ni → Tca 0.373 0.115 3.243 .001 0.147 0.598 Ni → Bist 0.434 0.087 5.009 < .001 0.264 0.604 Tca → Bist 0.540 0.053 10.136 < .001 0.435 0.644 5.6. Summary of Structural Equation Modeling Results All hypothesized linkages are supported (Table 10 ), with the seven paths significant at p < .01 under DWLS estimation (N = 418). Destination Image emerges as the dominant antecedent, while National Identity and Tourism Career Aspirations operate as mediators. The results confirm that support for tourism develops through a structured process in which place perceptions shape identity, future goals, and ultimately behavior. Table 10 Summary of Hypotheses Testing Results H Description Standardized Estimate (β) p-value Result H1 Positive destination image significantly strengthens residents’ national identity 0.838 < .001 Supported H2 Positive destination image directly enhances young residents’ aspirations to pursue a career in tourism 0.446 < .001 Supported H3 Stronger national identity significantly encourages residents to consider tourism-related careers 0.373 .001 Supported H4 Higher tourism career aspirations strongly predict residents’ willingness to support tourism 0.540 < .001 Supported H5 Destination image indirectly affects tourism career aspirations through the mediation of national identity 0.312 < .001 Supported H6 Destination image indirectly influences behavioral intention to support tourism via tourism career aspirations 0.241 < .001 Supported H7 Destination image affects behavioral intention to support tourism through serial mediation of national identity and then tourism career aspirations 0.169 .003 Supported 6. Discussion Resident support in growing locations is complicated, identity-focused, and forward-looking, beyond a response to perceived repercussions, according to this study. This method answers recent demands to go beyond transactional and attitude-based frameworks for analyzing local tourism responses (Stylidis et al., 2020 ; Erul and Woosnam, 2021 ). The results show that young Saudis' tourism involvement follows a logical progression: perception of the destination boosts national identity, which determines tourism job expectations, which leads to a commitment to tourism development. Support is a proactive step toward a personal and collective future. The model's most influential antecedent, the destination image, affects all future structures directly and indirectly. This is consistent with recent research that reframes place image as socially embedded rather than promotional (Stylidis et al., 2014 ; Hanna, 2020 ). Tourism representations in Saudi Arabia help young people understand national identity. Destination image strongly influences national identity, supporting paradigms that have historically considered identity as independent or alongside evaluative processes. Tourism brings global recognition to rapidly changing societies, which boosts national pride. Beyond identity, the study investigates the transfer of symbolic location impressions into vocational orientation, a mechanism not before studied. The relationship between destination image and national identity shapes tourism career goals. Saudi youth see tourism to envision personal futures in the context of national reform. Recent academic discourse emphasizes inhabitants' active participation in meaning-making rather than passive reception of consequences (Crespi-Vallbona & López-Villanueva, 2024 ). Tourism becomes a viable job option when a destination is seen as modern, enticing, and esteemed globally. tourist career aspirations proved to be the strongest predictor of tourist support. This finding reframes resident support as active participation in future outcomes rather than endorsement. Younger people who want to work in tourism show a psychological commitment to its success and predicted involvement. This supports previous tourist career research showing that aspirations and employment intentions indicate significant sector commitments (Abou-Shouk et al., 2023 ; Boz, 2025 ). Policy-guided destinations expect inhabitants to be hosts, innovators, and cultural intermediates. Sustainable support comes when people see tourism as part of their lives. Mediation results clarify the process. National identification affects destination image and professional ambitions, showing that symbolic representations of a location shape future orientation through identity reconstruction (Lever et al., 2022 ). Aspirations for a tourism career mediate the association between destination image and behavioral intention, showing that image affects support by changing how young people see their future contributions to the industry. From image to identity to ambition to support, the serial mediation pathway reveals a definite developmental mechanism. This sequence is the study's main theoretical contribution. Tourism is directly tied to modernization, global integration, and collective growth in underdeveloped countries, making this process crucial. Emerging places have a symbolic intensity unlike existing sites, where tourism is integrated and debated practically. Tourism helps young people define themselves and comprehend their place in the future. This study challenges demographic neutrality in resident-support studies by focusing on young. Young people are future workers, innovators, and cultural exchanges. Their assistance is special since it affects life-course choices and identity. Results redefine destination image as socio-psychological infrastructure. Images attract visitors, shape identity, validate careers, and rally support. This supports previous findings that place branding and destination narratives shape community self-perception and development (Hanna et al., 2020 ; Stylidis et al., 2025 ). In Saudi Arabia, where tourism is both an economic strategy and a nation-building initiative, tourism's social sustainability depends on how symbolic representations of place are internalized to align individual aspirations with collective transformation. The data supports resident-support theory by showing that emerging destination support goes beyond evaluation to include development and the future. The destination image shapes identity, career goals, and behavior. This perspective moves the field beyond analyzing resident approval of tourism to investigating how residents see their involvement in future tourism situations. 7. Conclusion, Policy Implications, and Future Research Directions This study illustrates that resident support for tourism in emerging destinations is not simply a response to perceived impacts, but rather develops through a symbolic, identity-focused, and forward-looking process. Examining Saudi youth, the results indicate that destination image triggers a developmental process where symbolic representations of place enhance national identity, which in turn influences tourism career aspirations, ultimately driving behavioral intentions to support tourism development. The study integrates destination image, national identity, career aspirations, and behavioral intention into a cohesive framework, advancing beyond static attitudinal models and reconceptualizing support as a proactive orientation toward collective transformation. In environments characterized by swift transformation, tourism transcends its role as merely an economic sector; it emerges as a tangible representation of national evolution. When young residents view their country as appealing and esteemed on a global scale, they develop a sense of pride, envision themselves as future contributors to the sector, and support tourism development with enthusiasm. The destination image serves as a form of socio-psychological infrastructure, attracting visitors while simultaneously shaping identity, legitimizing occupational pathways, and mobilizing social endorsement (Stylidis et al., 2014 ; Hanna et al., 2020 ). Support is most pronounced when young individuals perceive tourism as integral to their personal life paths, building on recent findings regarding the significance of career commitments within the tourism sector (Abou-Shouk et al., 2023 ; Boz, 2025 ). Destination branding must be approached as both a domestic and external strategy, developing narratives that appeal to youth and foster a sense of national pride. Tourism development should be closely aligned with education and workforce policy, positioning tourism as a respected, skilled, and forward-looking profession. Communication that is sensitive to identity—framing tourism as a shared national effort—has the potential to enhance commitment in transformative situations. Transitioning from consultation to co-creation by engaging youth in tourism innovation and storytelling can strengthen the pathway of image, identity, aspiration, and support outlined here. Future research should implement longitudinal and comparative designs to examine the dynamics of this sequence across emerging destinations. Breaking down youth demographics by gender, region, and educational pathways would uncover diverse identity and aspiration processes, while qualitative research could clarify how tourism narratives are understood and negotiated. Incorporating institutional trust or cultural fit into models would enhance the precision with which symbolic representations translate into actionable orientations. Ultimately, the social sustainability of tourism in emerging destinations relies on both the management of impacts and the development of meaningful futures. When national image, personal identity, and career possibility intersect, support transcends mere policy outcomes and evolves into a tangible orientation towards collective transformation. Declarations Data Availability The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to participant confidentiality but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Ethics approval Ethical approval was waived by the Arab Open University Research Ethics Committee because the study involved anonymous voluntary survey participation with no identifiable personal data. Accordance with guidelines The research was conducted in accordance with institutional ethical guidelines for research involving human participants. Consent to Participate All participants took part in this study voluntarily. Prior to completing the questionnaire, respondents were informed about the academic purpose of the research, the anonymous nature of data collection, and their right to withdraw at any time without consequence. Informed consent was obtained electronically from all participants before participation. Funding This research received no external funding. Clinical Trial Number Clinical trial number: not applicable. Consent to Publish Consent to Publish: not applicable. References Abou-Shouk M, Zouair N, Hewedi M, Badr R. (2023). Predictors of work intention in the tourism career: the moderating impact of cultural aspects. Current Issues in Tourism, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2023.2286270. Afshardoost M, Eshaghi MS. (2020). Destination image and tourist behavioural intentions: A meta-analysis. Tourism management, 81, 104154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2020.104154. Ajzen I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T Amani D, Begashe B, Ernest Mfumbilwa E. (2025). My heart belongs here: an investigation into the predictive role of destination psychological ownership on tourism ethnocentrism. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8677703","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":591622502,"identity":"d6f03fbc-da2a-4141-a740-2c40269a0a44","order_by":0,"name":"Ardita Malaj","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA9klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYLCCBwxsckCKDcI7QIyWBAY2Y5K1MCQ2EK2Fv4E78UNCDV96/+zDzx58bGOQ47uRwPzhBx4tEgd4N0skHGPLnXEuzdxwZhuDseSNBDbJHnzWHODdIJHAxpbbcIbBTJq3jSFxA1ALAw8eHfJAW34k/GNLlz/D/g2kpR6ohfnjHzxaDA7wbpNIbGNLMDjDA7YlweBGAoM0PlsMD/Nus0jsYzPceIan3HDGOQnDmWcetknL4NEid7x3840P347Jy51h3/bgQ5mNPN/x5MMf3+DzPjOYPAbjSgAxYwM+DTBQQ4yiUTAKRsEoGKkAAEQvTKoiPTQbAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Arab Open University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ardita","middleName":"","lastName":"Malaj","suffix":""},{"id":591622503,"identity":"9503844e-7803-4a3a-a65e-7e4633603b3f","order_by":1,"name":"Nizamettin Bayyurt","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Alfaisal University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Nizamettin","middleName":"","lastName":"Bayyurt","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-01-23 09:53:26","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8677703/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8677703/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":102894043,"identity":"a5d8c858-6e05-45b9-a252-9806d44a6f27","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-18 05:58:21","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":22974,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eConceptual Model of Identity-Driven Tourism Support and Career Orientation\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8677703/v1/595dc959dc0f67b916f1da21.png"},{"id":102894044,"identity":"226e061e-74c9-4db0-b80c-f0a700a1a15f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-18 05:58:21","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":148148,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eStructural Equation Model of Destination Image, Identity, Career Aspirations, and Tourism Support\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8677703/v1/80bbba084084ec313c3e113e.png"},{"id":102964279,"identity":"96d5d102-3332-42ae-88cd-b08cea46d42b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-02-19 04:21:59","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1578424,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8677703/v1/bd394d3b-e0b8-4448-a5fa-96b8ba16a438.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Destination image national identity youth career aspirations and support for tourism in an emerging destination","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn the last decade, Saudi Arabia has initiated one of the most ambitious changes in global tourism. Under Vision 2030, tourism has transitioned from a marginal activity to a fundamental component of economic diversification, social transformation, and global repositioning. Mega-projects like NEOM, AlUla, the Red Sea Project, Diriyah Gate, and Qiddiya represent not just infrastructural investments but also emblematic declarations of national identity and aspirations. In this framework, tourist development is intrinsically linked to overarching themes of national identity, modernization, and future direction. The enduring viability of this change relies not solely on capital investment and visitor demand, but also on the robustness of local support, especially among the youth. Saudi youth will form the future labor force, hosts, and cultural mediators of these locales. Their involvement in tourism consequently has implications that go beyond mere attitudinal endorsement to include identity development, vocational selection, and social validation. Comprehending the relationship between youthful citizens and tourism is essential for the social viability of developing locations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eResearch in tourism has conclusively demonstrated the significance of resident support for sustainable development (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Nunkoo and Ramkissoon, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). This literature has predominantly framed support as a response to perceived economic, social, and environmental effects. Although these models have produced significant insights, they are increasingly inadequate in scenarios where tourism is integrated into national transformation initiatives. Recent research indicates that locals' reactions to tourism are influenced not solely by cost-benefit evaluations but also by symbolic and psychological factors associated with pride, belonging, and envisioned futures (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Erul \u0026amp; Woosnam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). These observations indicate a necessity for models that transcend transactional assessments and encapsulate the significance of tourism in inhabitants' lives. Three gaps remain notably prominent. Existing research seldom consolidates goal image, identity processes, future orientation, and behavioral intention within a unified explanatory framework. Secondly the group most directly involved in future tourism systems\u0026mdash;are underrepresented in resident-support research, which largely relies on generic adult samples. Third, rising places in the Middle East, although experiencing significant tourism-driven transformation, remain peripheral in high-impact tourism scholarship.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study investigates the engagement of Saudi youth with the evolving idea of their country as a tourism destination and how these perceptions influence identity, career orientation, and behavioral intentions. This study examines the extent to which a favorable destination image enhances national identity, whether this identity cultivates aspirations for professions in tourism, and how these aspirations influence the desire to promote tourist growth. By conceptualizing these interactions as a sequential process, the study perceives support not as a static attitude but as a proactive orientation towards national and personal goals. The research presents three contributions. Initially, it enhances resident-support theory by amalgamating destination image, Social Identity Theory, and the Theory of Planned Behavior into a cohesive framework designed for emerging destinations. Secondly, it presents tourism career goals as a significant yet underexamined mechanism connecting symbolic place perceptions to behavioral intentions (Abou-Shouk et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Boz, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Third, it presents theory-driven empirical evidence from Saudi Arabia, broadening the geographical and conceptual dimensions of tourism research and providing insights pertinent to policy and planning in quickly evolving environments. The study reconceptualizes resident support as an identity-driven and forward-looking approach. In rising places, tourism is not only an occurrence for locals; it serves as a medium through which individuals conceptualize their identities and potential futures.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Literature Review","content":"\u003cp\u003eResearch on residents\u0026rsquo; support for tourism has traditionally been grounded in impact-based and rational exchange perspectives, if individuals evaluate tourism primarily through perceived economic, social, and environmental consequences (Nunkoo \u0026amp; Ramkissoon, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). While this approach has yielded important insights, it is increasingly inadequate in contexts where tourism is embedded in broader projects of social and national transformation. Recent scholarship demonstrates that residents\u0026rsquo; orientations toward tourism are shaped not only by cost\u0026ndash;benefit calculations but also by symbolic, relational, and identity-based processes (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Erul \u0026amp; Woosnam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). This shift reflects a reconceptualization of residents as active meaning-makers who interpret tourism through lenses of belonging, pride, and imagined futures (Crespi-Vallbona \u0026amp; L\u0026oacute;pez-Villanueva, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Within this identity-oriented turn, support is no longer viewed as a static attitude but as a dynamic orientation shaped by how tourism is integrated into residents\u0026rsquo; understanding of self and society\u0026mdash;an insight that is especially salient in emerging destinations undergoing rapid transformation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1. Destination image as a symbolic resource for residents\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination image has long been conceptualized as a marketing construct shaping tourists\u0026rsquo; perceptions and behavior (Baloglu \u0026amp; McCleary, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1999\u003c/span\u003e; Echtner \u0026amp; Ritchie, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e; Tasci \u0026amp; Gartner, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). A growing body of research, however, demonstrates that destination image also operates internally, shaping how residents understand their place and their relationship to it. (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e) show that residents\u0026rsquo; place image predicts support for tourism even after controlling for perceived impacts, reframing image as a socially embedded representation rather than a purely promotional artefact. Subsequent work indicates that destination image structures emotional solidarity and behavioral orientations, linking symbolic place meanings to relational and affective processes among residents (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). (Hanna et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e) extend this logic by conceptualizing place branding as an internal mechanism of meaning-making through which communities negotiate identity and development trajectories. For residents, destination image communicates shared value, recognition, and potential. Empirical studies confirm that a positive destination image enhances engagement, advocacy, and pro-sustainable behavior (Šerić et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Cao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). (Lever et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) further demonstrate that destination image and national identification are interdependent, jointly shaping pride and promotional behavior. These findings position destination image as a symbolic resource that conveys \u0026ldquo;who we are\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;how we are seen.\u0026rdquo; For youth in emerging destinations, such representations extend beyond attractiveness to visitors and become signals of opportunity, legitimacy, and future orientation. Destination image thus constitutes the entry point through which tourism narratives acquire personal and collective significance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2. Identity and the Internalization of Place Meaning\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial Identity Theory (Tajfel and Turner, 1978, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1986\u003c/span\u003e) provides a framework for understanding how symbolic place representations become self-relevant. Individuals derive part of their self-conception from membership in salient social groups, including the nation and community. In tourism contexts, destination narratives communicate cues regarding collective status, pride, and belonging. (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e) demonstrate that emotional solidarity and place-based meanings significantly predict residents\u0026rsquo; behavioral orientations, indicating that identity processes mediate responses to tourism. (Lever et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) show that stronger national identification is associated with destination advocacy, while (Erul and Woosnam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e) provide evidence that identity-based mechanisms shape both supportive and oppositional behaviors.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination image becomes consequential because it is filtered through identity processes. External representations of place are internalized as in-group meaning, transforming promotional narratives into self-relevant symbols. (Eitzenberger and Thimm, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e) highlight that resident and outsider images often diverge, underscoring that destination image is fundamentally intertwined with community self-perception. (Amani et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e) further demonstrate that psychological ownership and ethnocentrism link place perceptions to identity-driven orientations. In emerging destinations, where tourism is closely aligned with national repositioning, destination image serves as a conduit for collective pride and belonging. Positive representations of place reinforce national identity, particularly among youth navigating self-definition. Through this process, symbolic place meanings become integrated into the self-concept, shaping how individuals locate themselves within broader national trajectories.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3. Future Orientation: Career Aspirations and Behavioral Intention\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentity does not only structure evaluation; it also guides future orientation. Research shows that social identification influences participation, engagement, and life-course decisions (Qin et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). (Lever et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) demonstrates that national identification motivates advocacy, while (Erul and Woosnam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) links emotional solidarity to active involvement in tourism-related processes. (\u003cb\u003eLuzuriaga et al., 2025\u003c/b\u003e) find that students with strong cultural identity exhibit heightened interest in tourism-related programs, indicating that identity informs educational and career trajectories.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTourism career aspirations therefore represent more than occupational preference; they reflect future-oriented commitment and anticipated participation. Studies of tourism education and employment show that perceptions of prestige, growth, and relevance shape willingness to pursue tourism careers (Richardson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e; Teng, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e; \u003cb\u003eSetiyorini et al., 2015).\u003c/b\u003e (Abou-Shouk et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e) demonstrate that work intention in tourism is shaped by perceived relevance and cultural alignment, while (Boz, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e) links career expectations in tourism to broader life satisfaction and entrepreneurial orientation. In emerging destinations, where tourism is publicly framed as a national growth engine, career aspirations acquire additional symbolic weight: choosing tourism becomes choosing a role within collective transformation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e) clarifies how these meanings translate into action. Behavioral intention represents the proximal antecedent of behavior, shaped by attitudes, norms, and perceived control. In resident contexts, these components are informed by how tourism is understood, valued, and socially situated. Empirical work confirms that residents\u0026rsquo; behavioral orientations are not driven solely by surface-level attitudes. (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e) show that psychological integration and emotional solidarity predict supportive intentions, while (Erul and Woosnam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) demonstrate that deeper motivational processes underpin behavioral support. (Gautam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e) further finds that perceived personal relevance enhances commitment to sustainable tourism development. Behavioral intention thus marks the point at which symbolic meaning becomes actionable orientation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaken together, destination image theory, Social Identity Theory, and the Theory of Planned Behavior outline a coherent developmental pathway. Destination image conveys symbolic meaning about place (Baloglu \u0026amp; McCleary, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1999\u003c/span\u003e; Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Hanna et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Identity processes transform these representations into in-group meaning (Tajfel and Turner, 1978, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1986\u003c/span\u003e; Lever et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), while career aspirations operationalize this meaning at the level of personal futures (Abou-Shouk et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Boz, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Behavioral intention then emerges as the point at which symbolic meaning becomes actionable orientation (Ajzen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e; Erul and Woosnam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). In emerging destinations, where tourism is intertwined with national becoming, this sequence is particularly salient for young people, for whom tourism becomes a site where collective transformation and individual aspiration intersect.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Hypothesis Development","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study conceptualizes residents\u0026rsquo; support for tourism as a sequential, identity-driven, and future-oriented process. Destination image initiates this process, national identity and tourism career aspirations act as key mechanisms, and behavioral intention is the outcome\u0026mdash;dynamics that are especially salient for Saudi youth within a national transformation context.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1. Destination image and national identity\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination image functions as a socially embedded representation through which residents evaluate place and collective status. Prior studies show that residents\u0026rsquo; place image shapes emotional responses, engagement, and tourism-related behavior (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Destination narratives act as internal meaning-making mechanisms (Hanna et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), while stronger national identification is associated with more favorable destination perceptions and advocacy (Lever et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Positive destination images further enhance satisfaction and supportive behavior (Šerić et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Cao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e) and are closely tied to identity-based responses (\u003cb\u003eSong \u0026amp; Jeongmyeong, 2025\u003c/b\u003e). Differences between resident and outsider images highlight the role of image in community self-perception (Eitzenberger \u0026amp; Thimm, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), and positive place perceptions foster psychological ownership and ethnocentric orientations toward tourism (Amani et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). In rapidly transforming contexts, destination images become a key mechanism through which young residents internalize pride and belonging.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study puts forth the following proposal:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eH1.\u003c/b\u003e A positive destination image significantly strengthens young residents\u0026rsquo; national identity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2. Destination image and tourism career aspirations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination image shapes how residents interpret place and envision their futures. Research shows that perceptions of tourism influence behavioral orientations and long-term expectations (Wattanacharoensil, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; \u003cb\u003eCrespi-Vallbona \u0026amp; Villanueva, 2024).\u003c/b\u003e Place image further affects residents\u0026rsquo; evaluations of tourism development and willingness to engage in future directions (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; \u003cb\u003eChen \u0026amp; Šegota, 2015).\u003c/b\u003e At the individual level, perceptions of tourism and self-image guide career choice, as students\u0026rsquo; views of the sector shape professional aspirations (\u003cb\u003eSetiyorini et al., 2015\u003c/b\u003e). In emerging destinations such as Saudi Arabia, where tourism is framed as a growth engine, a positive destination image legitimizes tourism as a respected and viable career path for youth.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis research presents the subsequent proposal:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eH2.\u003c/b\u003e A positive destination image directly enhances young residents\u0026rsquo; aspirations to pursue a career in tourism.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3. National identity and tourism career aspirations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentification with social and national groups shapes tourism\u0026rsquo; attitudes and future behavior. Social identity guides involvement and life decisions (\u003cb\u003eQin, 2024\u003c/b\u003e), while emotional solidarity strengthens participation in tourism development (Erul and Woosnam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e).\u003c/b\u003e National identity fosters pride and destination advocacy (Lever et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) and is linked to youth interest in tourism education and careers (\u003cb\u003eLuzuriaga et al., 2025\u003c/b\u003e). Collectively, these findings show that national identity aligns individual aspirations with collective goals, encouraging young residents to view tourism as a meaningful career pathway.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study presents the following proposal:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eH3.\u003c/b\u003e Stronger national identity significantly encourages young residents to consider tourism-related careers.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.4. Tourism career aspirations and behavioral intention\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTourism career aspirations reflect young residents\u0026rsquo; expectation of benefiting from sectoral growth, creating a personal stake that strengthens pro-tourism intentions. Such aspirations represent psychological commitment to the industry (Boz, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Abou-Shouk et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Economic ties to tourism foster supportive attitudes (Nunkoo \u0026amp; Ramkissoon, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e), while perceived quality-of-life gains enhance backing for sustainable development (Gautam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). When youth anticipate personal benefits, they align tourism with their future, increasing their intention to support its development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study puts forward the following proposal:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eH4.\u003c/b\u003e Higher tourism career aspirations strongly predict young residents\u0026rsquo; behavioral intention to support tourism development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.5. Identity and career as mediating mechanisms\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination image shapes future-oriented intentions through identity-based mechanisms. Residents interpret symbolic place representations within identity frameworks that structure meaning and belonging (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Hanna et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Identity guides how perceptions translate into behavioral orientations (\u003cb\u003eQin, 2024;\u003c/b\u003e Erul and Woosnam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), and stronger national identification amplifies the behavioral impact of place perceptions (Lever et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Further research shows that destination image affects intentions mainly through intermediary psychological processes rather than direct paths (Afshardoost and Eshaghi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Abou-Shouk et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). In emerging destinations, favorable destination images are internalized by youth with strong national identity, shaping goals and career orientations. National identity thus links symbolic place assessments to professional aspiration.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis results in the subsequent hypothesis:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eH5.\u003c/b\u003e National identity mediates the relationship between destination image and tourism career aspirations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination image shapes residents\u0026rsquo; support through future-oriented motivational pathways rather than direct attitudes. Early research shows that expected personal benefits enhance support (Nunkoo \u0026amp; Ramkissoon, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e)\u003c/b\u003e, while later studies emphasize deeper motivational and psychological processes (Erul and Woosnam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Recent work demonstrates that destination image influences how residents position themselves within tourism and orient toward engagement (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Šerić et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), especially when personal interests are salient. Career-oriented research further clarifies this mechanism: aspirations for tourism employment reflect strong commitment and alignment with tourism as a life path (Abou-Shouk et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Boz, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Individuals who envision careers in tourism perceive development as opportunity rather than disruption, and those anticipating personal benefits show stronger behavioral support (Gautam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Psychological engagement mechanisms, such as emotional solidarity, translate perceptions into action (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Together, these findings indicate that destination image acts as a symbolic stimulus, while tourism career aspirations convert it into actionable commitment, particularly in emerging destinations where tourism underpins national progress and employment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis results in the subsequent hypothesis:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eH6.\u003c/b\u003e Tourism career aspirations mediate the relationship between destination image and behavioral intention to support tourism development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination image influences residents\u0026rsquo; support through socio-psychological mechanisms that link symbolic place meanings with identity and aspiration. Meta-analytic evidence shows that its effects operate mainly through intermediary processes rather than direct paths (Afshardoost and Eshaghi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). In residential contexts, destination image is embedded in relational and emotional processes shaping residents perceived role in tourism (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Positive place representations become markers of \u0026ldquo;who we are\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;where we are going,\u0026rdquo; while stronger national identity is associated with pro-destination behaviors such as advocacy (Lever et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Identity-related mechanisms, including psychological ownership and brand patriotism, further transmit place perceptions into tourism-oriented action (Amani et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). When national identity is activated, tourism is reframed as a personally meaningful avenue aligned with collective progress. Career research shows that tourism work intentions reflect deep commitment and self-congruence (Abou-Shouk et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Boz, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e), and perceived personal benefits strengthen support (Erul and Woosnam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Gautam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Together, these studies indicate a sequential pathway in which destination image strengthens national identity, identity fosters tourism career aspirations, and aspirations translate symbolic meanings into behavioral support.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThus,\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eH7.\u003c/b\u003e Destination image influences behavioral intention to support tourism through the sequential mediation of national identity and tourism career aspirations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe theoretical framework is based on destination image as the key external effect. Destination Image influences National Identity, which affects Tourism Career Aspirations and Behavioral Intention to Support Tourism (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Tourism career objectives affect image and identity and are the best predictor of supporting behavior.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. Methodology","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.1. Research Design and Data Collection\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study adopts a quantitative, cross-sectional design to examine the relationships among Saudi youths\u0026rsquo; national identity, destination image, tourism career aspirations, and behavioral intention to support tourism development. Data was collected using a structured survey administered to university students across multiple institutions. Saudi youth were selected because they represent a critical transitional group between education and labor market entry, making them particularly relevant for examining career aspirations and future-oriented behavioral intentions. The online survey was distributed to residents in Saudi Arabia, ensuring voluntary and anonymous participation. After screening for completeness and consistency, 418 valid responses were retained for analysis, providing an adequate sample for covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2. Sampling and Procedure\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA non-probability convenience sampling approach was employed. Eligibility required respondents to be at least 18 years old and current residents. The final sample exceeds recommended thresholds for SEM and for detecting indirect effects. The instrument was pilot tested with 35 residents to ensure clarity and cultural appropriateness. Translation and back-translation procedures were applied to ensure linguistic equivalence in Arabic and English (Brislin, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1980\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.3. Measurement of the Constructs\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll constructions were measured using validated multi-item scales adapted from prior studies. Saudi youths\u0026rsquo; national identity, destination image, tourism career aspirations, and behavioral intention to support tourism development. were assessed using five-point Likert-type items (1\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;strongly disagree, 5\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;strongly agree). The selection and adaptation of measures followed established SEM guidelines to ensure construct validity and reliability (Hair et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e reports the items and their original sources. Data was analysed using covariance-based structural equation modeling in Jamovi, enabling simultaneous estimation of the measurement and structural models and the testing of sequential mediation effects.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasurement Scales\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eConstruct\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasurement Items\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eScale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSources\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNational Identity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTourism helps strengthen our national identity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel proud when tourists admire our culture.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Strongly Disagree to 5\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Strongly Agree\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTajfel and Turner (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e);\u003c/b\u003e Tasci et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination Image\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMy country is seen as an attractive tourist destination.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTourists feel safe and welcome in our country.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Strongly Disagree to 5\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Strongly Agree\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEchtner \u0026amp; Ritchie (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1991\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e);\u003c/b\u003e Stylidis et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTourism Career Aspiration\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am interested in pursuing a career in tourism.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTourism provides diverse and rewarding career paths.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Strongly Disagree to 5\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Strongly Agree\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichardson,S. (2009); Teng, C. C. (2008\u003c/b\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBehavioral Intention to Support Tourism\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI will recommend my country as a tourist destination.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eI support policies that encourage tourism development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Strongly Disagree to 5\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Strongly Agree\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStylidis et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e); \u003cb\u003eNunkoo et al. (2020\u003c/b\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.4. Ethical Considerations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eEthical aspects of the study are detailed in the Ethical Declarations section.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"5. Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe results are presented in three stages: assessment of the measurement model, evaluation of the structural relationships, and examination of indirect and mediation effects.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.1. Descriptive Statistics\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDemographics are in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. The final 418 participants were 52.2% male and 47.8% female. Gender balance makes systemic gender bias unlikely. Sample was mostly young. Most respondents were 18\u0026ndash;24 (65.3%), then 25\u0026ndash;34 (22.7%). Under 18 and over 35 made up 3.1%. Saudi youth attitudes affect tourism, employment, and national growth. 97.8% are undergrads, 2.2% postgrads. Youth profiles fit survey dissemination pathways and emphasize educated youth. This focus may limit generalizability to elderly or non-student inhabitants, but it is ideal for assessing evolving stakeholder attitudes toward tourist development that will affect future tourism support.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescriptive measures of the sample data\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eN\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.84%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e218\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eunder 18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.1%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e273\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.3%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u0026ndash;34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.7%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u0026ndash;44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.7%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45\u0026ndash;54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLevel of Study\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUndergraduate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e409\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e97.8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePostgraduate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.2. Measurement Model Assessment\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasurement model parameters show significant loading on latent constructs for all variables (p \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001), matching reflective measurement standards in tourist research (Hair et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). The standardized loadings range from 0.590 for Di2 to 0.928 for Ni1, demonstrating that the observed items accurately represent their underlying dimensions. High item reliabilities were detected for Ni1 (R\u0026sup2; = 0.860), Ni2 (R\u0026sup2; = 0.823), and Tca3 (R\u0026sup2; = 0.809), with most indicators accounting for over 50% of variance (R\u0026sup2; \u0026gt; 0.50). Even the lowest-loaded item is suitable for perceptual components in tourist studies, because individual ratings vary. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e shows large and statistically significant loadings, supporting item-level convergent validity. This validates accurate and conceptually clear latent construct measurement.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeasurement model\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLatent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndicator\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStd. est\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStd. err\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ez-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eR\u0026sup2;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBist1: I will recommend my country as a tourist destination.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.810\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.025\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.657\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBehavioral Intention to Support Tourism (Bist)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBist2: I support policies that encourage tourism development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.833\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.022\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.693\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi1: My country is seen as an attractive tourist destination.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.695\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.031\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.483\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination Image\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi2: The tourism infrastructure is well-developed.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.590\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.038\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.348\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi3: Tourists feel safe and welcome in our country.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.921\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.025\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.849\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi1: Tourism helps strengthen our national identity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.928\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.016\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.860\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNational Identity (Ni)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi2: Cultural tourism increases pride in local traditions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.907\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.823\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTca1: I am interested in pursuing a career in tourism\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.695\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.030\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.483\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTourism Career Aspirations (Tca)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTca2: Tourism provides diverse and rewarding career paths\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.798\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.025\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.636\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTca3: I see tourism as a respected professional field\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.900\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.018\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.809\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe underlying constructions demonstrate acceptable psychometric properties. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e indicates that internal consistency is demonstrated through Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha (0.700\u0026ndash;0.844) and McDonald\u0026rsquo;s omega (0.623\u0026ndash;0.834), both of which surpass the established thresholds in tourism research (Hair et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Hayes \u0026amp; Coutts, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Convergent validity is confirmed, as all AVE values exceed the 0.50 threshold, demonstrating that each construction accounts for the majority of variance in its indicators (Hair et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). The findings presented in (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e) substantiate that the measurement model establishes a dependable and valid basis for the structural analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eConstruct Reliability and Convergent Validity Measures\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoefficient α\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoefficient ω\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAVE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.727\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.623\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.560\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.844\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.834\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.842\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.700\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.709\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.675\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTca\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.747\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.753\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.643\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.876\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.886\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRigorous item purification was conducted to ensure discriminant validity among the four latent constructs (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). In the initial model, \u003cem\u003eBist3\u003c/em\u003e generated an HTMT value of 0.929 between Behavioral Intention (Bist) and Tourism Career Aspirations, exceeding the 0.90 threshold (\u003cb\u003eHenseler, 2015\u003c/b\u003e). After its removal, the HTMT between Bist and National Identity (Ni) rose to 0.905 due to \u003cem\u003eNi3\u003c/em\u003e. Sequential deletion of \u003cem\u003eBist3\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eNi3\u003c/em\u003e reduced all HTMT values below 0.90, confirming that Destination Image (Di), National Identity (Ni), Tourism Career Aspirations (Tca), and Behavioral Intention (Bist) are empirically distinct while remaining theoretically related.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHTMT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTca\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.784\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.836\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.858\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTca\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.709\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.740\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.870\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.3. Structural Model Evaluation\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe proposed structural model demonstrates an excellent fit to the data (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e). Estimation using diagonally weighted least squares yields a non-significant chi-square (χ\u0026sup2;(27)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;33.55, p = .179), indicating adequate model fit (Kline, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Complementary indices further confirm this adequacy, with CFI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.972, TLI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.954, and GFI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.998, all exceeding recommended benchmarks in tourism research (\u003cb\u003eSathyanarayana \u0026amp; Mohanasundaram, 2024).\u003c/b\u003e The RMSEA is notably low (0.024), well below the 0.06 threshold (Kline, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), indicating minimal approximation error. Collectively, these statistics provide strong empirical support for the adequacy of both the measurement and structural components of the model.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGoodness-of-Fit Indices for the Structural Equation Model\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eN\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eχ\u0026sup2;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003edf\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRMSEA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparative Fit Index (CFI)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTucker-Lewis Index (TLI)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGoodness of fit index (GFI)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e418\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.179\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.024\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.972\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.954\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.998\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote.\u003c/em\u003e Estimator is DWLS. Standard errors and fit indices are robust.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.4. Direct Effects\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe structural relationships display a clear developmental pattern (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e). Destination Image strongly predicts National Identity (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.838, p \u0026lt; .001) and significantly influences Tourism Career Aspirations (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.446, p \u0026lt; .001) and Behavioral Intention (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.266, p \u0026lt; .001). Tourism Career Aspirations emerge as the strongest direct predictor of Behavioral Intention (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.540, p \u0026lt; .001), while National Identity contributes to both Tourism Career Aspirations (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.373, p = .001) and Behavioral Intention (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.233, p = .002). Together, these results indicate a sequence in which destination image shape\u0026rsquo;s identity, identity informs ambitious professional orientations, and aspirations drive support for tourism development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab7\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDirect Effects and Standardized Regression Coefficients\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% Confidence interval\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOutcome\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePredictor\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStd. estimate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ez-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLower\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUpper\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.266\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.076\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.512\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.233\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.073\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.169\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.002\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.089\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.377\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTca\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.540\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.136\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.435\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.644\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.838\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.028\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.069\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.783\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.893\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTca\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.446\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.120\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.722\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.211\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.681\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.373\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.115\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.243\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.147\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.598\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinal structural model clearly reinforces influence hierarchy. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e shows a strong link between Destination Image and National Identity (Di \u0026rarr; Ni\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.84) and Tourism Career Aspirations and Behavioral Intention (Tca \u0026rarr; Bist\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.54), supporting the statistical analysis's primary processes. The graphic shows how destination perceptions, identity formation, and future-oriented professional imaginaries affect citizens' tourism development support.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec22\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.5. Indirect Effects and Mediation Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe mediation results indicate a methodical way destination impressions develop tourism support. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e indicates that National Identity has the greatest indirect impact on Tourism Career Aspirations (Di \u0026rarr; Ni \u0026rarr; Tca; β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.312, p \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). Place image can shape identity and job choices. Tourism Career Aspirations influence the link between Destination Image and Behavioral Intention (Di \u0026rarr; Tca \u0026rarr; Bist; β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.241, p \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). National Identity indirectly affects professional support via aspirations (Ni \u0026rarr; Tca \u0026rarr; Bist; β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.201, p =\u0026thinsp;.004). A significant serial pathway (Di \u0026rarr; Ni \u0026rarr; Tca \u0026rarr; Bist; β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.169, p =\u0026thinsp;.003) links image, identity, and future objectives to behavioral support, partially mediated by indirect channels.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab8\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 8\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStandardized Estimates of Indirect Effects\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% Confidence interval\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStd. estimate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ez-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLower\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUpper\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi \u0026rarr; Ni \u0026rarr; Tca\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.312\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.094\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.309\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.127\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.498\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi \u0026rarr; Ni \u0026rarr; Tca \u0026rarr; Bist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.169\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.057\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.971\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.057\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.280\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi \u0026rarr; Ni \u0026rarr; Bist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.195\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.062\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.002\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.073\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.317\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi \u0026rarr; Tca \u0026rarr; Bist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.241\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.064\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.735\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.114\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.367\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi \u0026rarr; Tca \u0026rarr; Bist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.201\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.069\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.906\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.004\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.065\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.337\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination Image dominates the structure (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e), strongly influencing Behavioral Intention (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.871), Tourism Career Aspirations (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.759), and National Identity (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.838). National Identity plays a mediating role with moderate effects on Behavioral Intention (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.434) and Tourism Career Aspirations (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.373), while Tourism Career Aspirations remain the strongest immediate driver of behavioral Intention (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.540).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab9\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 9\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStandardized Estimates of Total Effects\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% Confidence interval\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStd. estimate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ez-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLower\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUpper\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi \u0026rarr; Tca\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.759\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.039\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.705\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.683\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.834\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi \u0026rarr; Bist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.871\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.026\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.009\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.820\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.921\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDi \u0026rarr; Ni\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.838\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.028\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.069\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.783\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.893\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi \u0026rarr; Tca\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.373\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.115\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.243\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.147\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.598\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi \u0026rarr; Bist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.434\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.087\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.009\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.264\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.604\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTca \u0026rarr; Bist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.540\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.136\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026nbsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.435\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.644\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec23\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.6. Summary of Structural Equation Modeling Results\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll hypothesized linkages are supported (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e), with the seven paths significant at p \u0026lt; .01 under DWLS estimation (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;418). Destination Image emerges as the dominant antecedent, while National Identity and Tourism Career Aspirations operate as mediators. The results confirm that support for tourism develops through a structured process in which place perceptions shape identity, future goals, and ultimately behavior.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab10\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 10\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSummary of Hypotheses Testing Results\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eH\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescription\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStandardized Estimate (β)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eResult\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eH1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePositive destination image significantly strengthens residents\u0026rsquo; national identity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.838\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupported\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eH2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePositive destination image directly enhances young residents\u0026rsquo; aspirations to pursue a career in tourism\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.446\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupported\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eH3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStronger national identity significantly encourages residents to consider tourism-related careers\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.373\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupported\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eH4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigher tourism career aspirations strongly predict residents\u0026rsquo; willingness to support tourism\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.540\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupported\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eH5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination image indirectly affects tourism career aspirations through the mediation of national identity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.312\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupported\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eH6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination image indirectly influences behavioral intention to support tourism via tourism career aspirations\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.241\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupported\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eH7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination image affects behavioral intention to support tourism through serial mediation of national identity and then tourism career aspirations\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.169\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupported\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"6. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eResident support in growing locations is complicated, identity-focused, and forward-looking, beyond a response to perceived repercussions, according to this study. This method answers recent demands to go beyond transactional and attitude-based frameworks for analyzing local tourism responses (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Erul and Woosnam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). The results show that young Saudis' tourism involvement follows a logical progression: perception of the destination boosts national identity, which determines tourism job expectations, which leads to a commitment to tourism development. Support is a proactive step toward a personal and collective future. The model's most influential antecedent, the destination image, affects all future structures directly and indirectly. This is consistent with recent research that reframes place image as socially embedded rather than promotional (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; \u003cb\u003eHanna, 2020\u003c/b\u003e). Tourism representations in Saudi Arabia help young people understand national identity. Destination image strongly influences national identity, supporting paradigms that have historically considered identity as independent or alongside evaluative processes. Tourism brings global recognition to rapidly changing societies, which boosts national pride. Beyond identity, the study investigates the transfer of symbolic location impressions into vocational orientation, a mechanism not before studied. The relationship between destination image and national identity shapes tourism career goals. Saudi youth see tourism to envision personal futures in the context of national reform. Recent academic discourse emphasizes inhabitants' active participation in meaning-making rather than passive reception of consequences (Crespi-Vallbona \u0026amp; L\u0026oacute;pez-Villanueva, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Tourism becomes a viable job option when a destination is seen as modern, enticing, and esteemed globally. tourist career aspirations proved to be the strongest predictor of tourist support. This finding reframes resident support as active participation in future outcomes rather than endorsement. Younger people who want to work in tourism show a psychological commitment to its success and predicted involvement. This supports previous tourist career research showing that aspirations and employment intentions indicate significant sector commitments (Abou-Shouk et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Boz, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Policy-guided destinations expect inhabitants to be hosts, innovators, and cultural intermediates. Sustainable support comes when people see tourism as part of their lives.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMediation results clarify the process. National identification affects destination image and professional ambitions, showing that symbolic representations of a location shape future orientation through identity reconstruction (Lever et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Aspirations for a tourism career mediate the association between destination image and behavioral intention, showing that image affects support by changing how young people see their future contributions to the industry. From image to identity to ambition to support, the serial mediation pathway reveals a definite developmental mechanism. This sequence is the study's main theoretical contribution.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTourism is directly tied to modernization, global integration, and collective growth in underdeveloped countries, making this process crucial. Emerging places have a symbolic intensity unlike existing sites, where tourism is integrated and debated practically. Tourism helps young people define themselves and comprehend their place in the future. This study challenges demographic neutrality in resident-support studies by focusing on young. Young people are future workers, innovators, and cultural exchanges. Their assistance is special since it affects life-course choices and identity. Results redefine destination image as socio-psychological infrastructure. Images attract visitors, shape identity, validate careers, and rally support. This supports previous findings that place branding and destination narratives shape community self-perception and development (Hanna et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). In Saudi Arabia, where tourism is both an economic strategy and a nation-building initiative, tourism's social sustainability depends on how symbolic representations of place are internalized to align individual aspirations with collective transformation. The data supports resident-support theory by showing that emerging destination support goes beyond evaluation to include development and the future. The destination image shapes identity, career goals, and behavior. This perspective moves the field beyond analyzing resident approval of tourism to investigating how residents see their involvement in future tourism situations.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"7. Conclusion, Policy Implications, and Future Research Directions","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study illustrates that resident support for tourism in emerging destinations is not simply a response to perceived impacts, but rather develops through a symbolic, identity-focused, and forward-looking process. Examining Saudi youth, the results indicate that destination image triggers a developmental process where symbolic representations of place enhance national identity, which in turn influences tourism career aspirations, ultimately driving behavioral intentions to support tourism development. The study integrates destination image, national identity, career aspirations, and behavioral intention into a cohesive framework, advancing beyond static attitudinal models and reconceptualizing support as a proactive orientation toward collective transformation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn environments characterized by swift transformation, tourism transcends its role as merely an economic sector; it emerges as a tangible representation of national evolution. When young residents view their country as appealing and esteemed on a global scale, they develop a sense of pride, envision themselves as future contributors to the sector, and support tourism development with enthusiasm. The destination image serves as a form of socio-psychological infrastructure, attracting visitors while simultaneously shaping identity, legitimizing occupational pathways, and mobilizing social endorsement (Stylidis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Hanna et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Support is most pronounced when young individuals perceive tourism as integral to their personal life paths, building on recent findings regarding the significance of career commitments within the tourism sector (Abou-Shouk et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Boz, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDestination branding must be approached as both a domestic and external strategy, developing narratives that appeal to youth and foster a sense of national pride. Tourism development should be closely aligned with education and workforce policy, positioning tourism as a respected, skilled, and forward-looking profession. Communication that is sensitive to identity\u0026mdash;framing tourism as a shared national effort\u0026mdash;has the potential to enhance commitment in transformative situations. Transitioning from consultation to co-creation by engaging youth in tourism innovation and storytelling can strengthen the pathway of image, identity, aspiration, and support outlined here.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFuture research should implement longitudinal and comparative designs to examine the dynamics of this sequence across emerging destinations. Breaking down youth demographics by gender, region, and educational pathways would uncover diverse identity and aspiration processes, while qualitative research could clarify how tourism narratives are understood and negotiated. Incorporating institutional trust or cultural fit into models would enhance the precision with which symbolic representations translate into actionable orientations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUltimately, the social sustainability of tourism in emerging destinations relies on both the management of impacts and the development of meaningful futures. When national image, personal identity, and career possibility intersect, support transcends mere policy outcomes and evolves into a tangible orientation towards collective transformation.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets generated and analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to participant confidentiality but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthical approval was waived by the Arab Open University Research Ethics Committee because the study involved anonymous voluntary survey participation with no identifiable personal data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccordance with guidelines\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe research was conducted in accordance with institutional ethical guidelines for research involving human participants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to Participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll participants took part in this study voluntarily. Prior to completing the questionnaire, respondents were informed about the academic purpose of the research, the anonymous nature of data collection, and their right to withdraw at any time without consequence. Informed consent was obtained electronically from all participants before participation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research received no external funding.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical Trial Number\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClinical trial number: not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to Publish\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsent to Publish: not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbou-Shouk M, Zouair N, Hewedi M, Badr R. (2023). Predictors of work intention in the tourism career: the moderating impact of cultural aspects. 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Residents\u0026rsquo; perceptions of tourism impacts and regulatory measures: the case of Lucerne\u0026rsquo;s urban destination. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 1\u0026ndash;18. https://doi.org/10.1080/20565607.2025.2594166.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-sustainability","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"disu","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Sustainability](https://www.springer.com/43621)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Discover Sustainability","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Destination image, National identity, Tourism career aspirations, Behavioral intention, Youth, Saudi Arabia, SEM","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8677703/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8677703/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eResident support is fundamental to the social sustainability of tourism in emerging places; nonetheless, it is frequently viewed as a response to perceived effects. This study redefines assistance as a symbolic and prospective activity. An integrated model connecting destination image, national identity, tourism career aspirations, and behavioral intention to support tourism is examined through survey data from 418 Saudi university students, utilizing structural equation modeling, based on destination image theory, social identity theory, and the theory of planned behavior. The findings indicate a sequential mechanism: the destination image enhances national identity, which in turn influences tourism job goals, and these aspirations are the most significant predictors of support for tourism. Serial mediation substantiates that imagery affects support via identification and aspiration. The findings establish resident support as an identity-driven perspective on envisioned futures and emphasize the role of youth in ensuring tourism sustainability in swiftly evolving destinations.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Destination image national identity youth career aspirations and support for tourism in an emerging destination","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-02-18 05:58:16","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8677703/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-04-22T04:45:40+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-06T21:10:51+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"191763286022577312485195721079719493989","date":"2026-04-04T07:45:38+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-03-06T08:05:45+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"172294564380718859998675370118250713181","date":"2026-02-24T05:55:23+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"169678031092763778898796175695003426954","date":"2026-02-14T11:55:07+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-02-12T09:36:04+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-02-11T06:57:28+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-02-04T08:17:15+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-02-03T16:45:38+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Sustainability","date":"2026-02-03T16:33:55+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-sustainability","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"disu","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Sustainability](https://www.springer.com/43621)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Discover Sustainability","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"c86fac10-0bf2-4caa-946f-dedf018702ab","owner":[],"postedDate":"February 18th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-29T07:08:34+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-02-18 05:58:16","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8677703","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8677703","identity":"rs-8677703","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}