Tourism and Psychological Distance: A Systematic Review

Authors

  • Ravel Paixao Universidade de São Paulo
  • Ricardo Noboru Shimosakai Universidade de São Paulo

Keywords:

Distância psicológica, Comportamento turístico, Marketing, Sustentabilidade

Abstract

Psychological distance influences tourist behavior, affecting attractiveness and travel decision-making. Distant destinations may seem more exotic, but they also create cultural or logistical barriers. Marketing strategies, such as images and travel stories, and technologies (virtual/augmented reality) seek to reduce this distance by creating emotional connections. However, these approaches can oversimplify local cultures and intensify the negative impacts of mass tourism. This study systematically reviews the literature on the topic, analyzing how psychological distance shapes tourist choices, which strategies are effective, and their cultural and environmental effects. Following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, the research offers insights to balance commercial appeal with sustainability.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

DOW, Douglas. A note on psychological distance and export market selection. Journal of international marketing, v. 8, n. 1, p. 51-64, 2000.

FAN, Daisy XF et al. Towards a better tourist-host relationship: The role of social contact between tourists’ perceived cultural distance and travel attitude. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, v. 31, n. 2, p. 204-228, 2023.

FUCHS, Galia; EFRAT-TREISTER, Dorit; WESTPHAL, Monika. When, where, and with whom during crisis: The effect of risk perceptions and psychological distance on travel intentions. Tourism management, v. 100, p. 104809, 2024.

HATEFTABAR, Fahimeh. The impact of psychological distance on tourists’ length of stay: Survival analysis. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, v. 46, p. 1-11, 2021.

JIA, Yanli; OUYANG, Jun; GUO, Qiang. When rich pictorial information backfires: The interactive effects of pictures and psychological distance on evaluations of tourism products. Tourism Management, v. 85, p. 104315, 2021.

KIM, Jungkeun et al. Application of construal-level theory to promotional strategies in the hotel industry. Journal of Travel Research, v. 55, n. 3, p. 340-352, 2016.

LE, Dung; SCOTT, Noel; WANG, Ying. Impact of prior knowledge and psychological distance on tourist imagination of a promoted tourism event. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, v. 49, p. 101-111, 2021.

LE HONG, Vuong; HSU, Liwei. The effects of perceived cultural distance and perceived discrimination on the destination image and behaviour intention of international student tourists in Taiwan. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, v. 58, p. 16-27, 2024.

LEE, Hyunae; YANG, Sung-Byung; CHUNG, Namho. Out of sight, out of cancellation: The impact of psychological distance on the cancellation behavior of tourists. Journal of Air Transport Management, v. 90, p. 101942, 2021.

LIU, Hongbo et al. Perceived cultural distance and international destination choice: The role of destination familiarity, geographic distance, and cultural motivation. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, v. 9, p. 300-309, 2018.

MASSARA, Francesco; SEVERINO, Fabio. Psychological distance in the heritage experience. Annals of Tourism Research, v. 42, p. 108-129, 2013.

MOLINILLO, Sebastian; LIÉBANA-CABANILLAS, Francisco; ANAYA-SÁNCHEZ,

Rafael. Destination image on the DMO's platforms: official website and social media. Tourism & Management Studies, v. 13, n. 3, p. 5-14, 2017.

PALOMINO-TAMAYO, Walter; SAKSANIAN, Maria Christina; REGALADO-PEZÚA,

Otto. Psychological Distance in The Diaspora Marketing of Nostalgic Products: A Venezuelan Case. Revista de Administração de Empresas, v. 62, p. e2020-0418, 2021.

SCHULDT, Jonathon P.; RICKARD, Laura N.; YANG, Z. Janet. Does reduced psychological distance increase climate engagement? On the limits of localizing climate change. Journal of Environmental Psychology, v. 55, p. 147-153, 2018.

TAN, Wee-Kheng. From fantasy to reality: a study of pre-trip planning from the perspective of destination image attributes and temporal psychological distance. Service Business, v. 12, n. 1, p. 65-84, 2018.

TAN, Wee-Kheng; CHANG, Yun-Ghang. Electronic-word-of-mouth performance in different psychological distances and familiarity. Online Information Review, v. 39, n. 4, p. 449-465, 2015.

WU, Guanming et al. The Closer, the Better? Impact of Tourists’ Psychological Distance on Their Travel Intention in the Post-Pandemic Era. Journal of China Tourism Research, p. 1-24, 2023.

XU, Feng et al. Tourists’ on-site immersive experience for shortening psychological distance in the context of homologous and non-homologous cultures. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, v. 58, p. 467-475, 2024.

ZHANG, Jun; SEO, Sangyun; LEE, Hoonyoung. The impact of psychological distance on Chinese customers when selecting an international healthcare service country. Tourism Management, v. 35, p. 32-40, 2013.

ZHOU, FangRu et al. Analysis of factors regarding the perceived distance of tourists. Journal of Zhejiang University (Science Edition), v. 43, n. 5, p. 616-624, 2016.

Published

2025-09-07

How to Cite

PAIXAO, Ravel; SHIMOSAKAI, Ricardo Noboru.
Tourism and Psychological Distance: A Systematic Review
. Revista Turismo & Cidades, v. 7, n. 14, p. 98–119, 7 Sep. 2025 Disponível em: https://cajapio.ufma.br/index.php/turismoecidades/article/view/27301. Acesso em: 5 nov. 2025.

Issue

Section

Artigos