Cross-border tourists' behavioral intentions: the Green Line of Nicosia, Cyprus

The cross-border tourism market draws attention from the tourism industry due to its attraction, and because it offers economic opportunities for residents on both sides of the border. Despite the importance of this market, only a few studies have developed behavioral-intention models in this context. This study aims to contribute to filling the gap in knowledge about the antecedents of tourists’ behavioral intentions in visiting cross-border areas. Four antecedents of behavioral intentions are proposed based on a literature review. Specifically, this research examines an integrated model of behavioral intentions towards a cross-border area through the simultaneous relationships among sensation-seeking, perceived crowding, value, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions. International tourists who were visiting the border area in Nicosia, Cyprus, and crossing the border at the Ledra Street checkpoint, were interviewed (N = 1401). The results, gathered from structural equation models, indicate that sensation-seeking, perceived crowding, and value influence satisfaction; perceived low crowding influences behavioral intentions; value influences satisfaction; and satisfaction influences behavioral intentions. Additionally, the level of expectations was tested by means of a multi-group analysis. The tourists’ expectations were seen to exert a moderating effect on all of the relationships hypothesized in the model. The implications for policymakers are discussed.