Generation Z represents an increasingly important segment of the tourism market, with destination evaluations shaped by the quality of experiences and the value obtained during travel. This study examines the influence of Tourist Experience and Perceived Value on Tourist Satisfaction among Generation Z tourists visiting the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, India. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 180 Generation Z tourists who had visited the Nilgiris District using a structured questionnaire. Tourist Experience, Perceived Value, and Tourist Satisfaction were measured using five-item scales. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression. The results demonstrate that Tourist Experience has a significant positive relationship with Tourist Satisfaction (β = 0.351, p < .001), while Perceived Value has a stronger positive relationship with Tourist Satisfaction (β = 0.487, p < .001). The regression model was statistically significant, F(2, 177) = 103.403, p < .001, and Tourist Experience and Perceived Value jointly explained 53.9% of the variance in Tourist Satisfaction (R² = 0.539). The findings indicate that Generation Z tourists evaluate the Nilgiris through both experiential and value-oriented perspectives, with Perceived Value emerging as the stronger predictor of satisfaction within the study sample. The study contributes destination-specific evidence to Generation Z tourism research and highlights the importance of developing memorable, accessible, convenient, and value oriented tourism experiences in the Nilgiris. The findings provide useful implications for destination managers, tourism businesses, hospitality providers, and policymakers seeking to strengthen visitor satisfaction among younger tourists.

References

 Abdul Haji, S., Daud Hasim, D., Man Soleman, M., & Karim Abubakar, K. (2022). The effect of experience quality on behavioral intentions mediated by tourist happiness and tourist satisfaction in an island destination. Economics, Business, Accounting & Society Review, 1(2), 112–121. https://doi.org/10.55980/ebasr.v1i2.23

 Agustina, N. K. W., & Astari, M. D. Y. (2022). Generation Z travel behaviour and changes in travel microtrends. ASEAN Journal on Hospitality and Tourism, 20(3), 65–76. https://doi.org/10.5614/ajht.2022.20.3.05

 Akgiş İlhan, Ö., Özoğul Balyalı, T., & Günay, S. (2023). A holistic view of the tourist experience of Generation Z. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research, 11(3), 341–370. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1125474

 Bagheri, F., Guerreiro, M., Pinto, P., & Ghaderi, Z. (2024). From tourist experience to satisfaction and loyalty: Exploring the role of a sense of well-being. Journal of Travel Research, 63(8), 1989–2004. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875231201509

 Carrascosa-López, C., Carvache-Franco, M., & Carvache-Franco, W. (2021). Perceived value and its predictive relationship with satisfaction and loyalty in ecotourism: A study in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park in Spain. Sustainability, 13(14), Article 7860. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147860

 Chen, C. F., & Chen, F. S. (2010). Experience quality, perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intentions for heritage tourists. Tourism Management, 31(1), 29–35.

 Cronin, J. J., Brady, M. K., & Hult, G. T. M. (2000). Assessing the effects of quality, value, and customer satisfaction on consumer behavioral intentions in service environments. Journal of Retailing, 76(2), 193–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4359(00)00028-2

 Dai, J., Zhao, L., Wang, Q., & Zeng, H. (2022). Research on the impact of outlets’ experience marketing and customer perceived value on tourism consumption satisfaction and loyalty. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 944070. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.944070

 Dewi, F. R., Fatmawati, I., & Musa, H. G. (2022). Effects of experience quality and perceived value on tourist satisfaction and behavioral intention in Prambanan Temple. JBTI: Jurnal Bisnis: Teori dan Implementasi, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.18196/jbti.v13i2.17168

 Gallarza, M. G., & Saura, I. G. (2006). Value dimensions, perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty: An investigation of university students’ travel behaviour. Tourism Management, 27(3), 437–452.

 Guerreiro, M., Pinto, P., deMatos, N., Bagheri, F., Dias Sequeira, B., & Parra, A. (2025). Unveiling the impacts of tourist experiences on experiential image, satisfaction, and loyalty: A study in Algarve, a European premier beach destination. Journal of Vacation Marketing. https://doi.org/10.1177/13567667251335045

 Kumar, A., & Lata, S. (2022). Measuring environmental responsible behavior through experience quality, perceived value, and tourist satisfaction from the perspectives of tourists in natural sites. Journal of Global Business Insights, 7(2), 166–183. https://doi.org/10.5038/2640-6489.7.2.1186

 Liu, J., Wang, C., Zhang, T. (Christina), & Qiao, H. (2023). Delineating the effects of social media marketing activities on Generation Z travel behaviors. Journal of Travel Research, 62(5), 1140–1158. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875221106394

 Mengkebayaer, M., Nawaz, M. A., & Sajid, M. U. (2022). Eco-destination loyalty: Role of perceived value and experience in framing destination attachment and equity with moderating role of destination memory. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 908798. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.908798  Oliver, R. L. (1980). A cognitive model of the antecedents and consequences of satisfaction decisions. Journal of Marketing Research, 17(4), 460–469.

 Otto, J. E., & Ritchie, J. R. B. (1996). The service experience in tourism. Tourism Management, 17(3), 165–174.  Popşa, R. E. (2024). Exploring the Generation Z travel trends and behavior. Studies in Business and Economics, 19(1), 189–199. https://doi.org/10.2478/sbe-2024-0010

 Pricope Vancia, A. P., Băltescu, C. A., Brătucu, G., Tecău, A. S., Chițu, I. B., & Duguleană, L. (2023). Examining the disruptive potential of Generation Z tourists on the travel industry in the digital age. Sustainability, 15(11), Article 8756. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118756

 Pujiastuti, E. E., Soeprapto, A., Susanta, S., Utomo, H. S., & Maharaniputri, A. (2021). The role of perceived value in understanding tourist experience and post experience at heritage destinations. Jurnal Siasat Bisnis, 26(1), 36–56. https://doi.org/10.20885/jsb.vol26.iss1.art3

 Rehman, A. U., Abbas, M., Abbasi, F. A., & Khan, S. (2023). How tourist experience quality, perceived price reasonableness and regenerative tourism involvement influence tourist satisfaction: A study of Ha’il Region, Saudi Arabia. Sustainability, 15(2), Article 1340. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021340

 Regalado-Pezúa, O., Carvache-Franco, M., Carvache-Franco, O., & Carvache-Franco, W. (2023). Perceived value and its relationship to satisfaction and loyalty in cultural coastal destinations: A study in Huanchaco, Peru. PLOS ONE, 18(8), Article e0286923. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286923

 Ribeiro, M. A., Seyfi, S., Elhoushy, S., Woosnam, K. M., & Patwardhan, V. (2023). Determinants of Generation Z pro-environmental travel behaviour: The moderating role of green consumption values. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 33(6), 1079–1099. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2023.2230389

 Salinero, Y., Prayag, G., Gómez-Rico, M., & Molina-Collado, A. (2022). Generation Z and pro sustainable tourism behaviors: Internal and external drivers. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 33(6), 1059–1078. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2022.2134400

 Su, L., Cheng, J., & Huang, Y. (2021). How do group size and group familiarity influence tourist satisfaction? The mediating role of perceived value. Journal of Travel Research, 60(8), 1821–1840. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287520966384

 Yayla, Ö., Aytekin, A., Uslu, F., Ergun, G. S., Keleş, H., & Güven, Y. (2023). How does the experience quality of recreational activities organized within the scope of public health affect perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intentions of individuals? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), Article 5142. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065142

 Yu, Y., Lang, M., Zhao, Y., Liu, W., & Hu, B. (2023). Tourist perceived value, tourist satisfaction, and life satisfaction: Evidence from Chinese Buddhist temple tours. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 47(1), 133–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/10963480211015338

 Zeithaml, V. A. (1988). Consumer perceptions of price, quality, and value: A means-end model and synthesis of evidence. Journal of Marketing, 52(3), 2–22.

 Zhou, M., & Yu, H. (2022). Exploring how tourist engagement affects destination loyalty: The intermediary role of valueand satisfaction.Sustainability, 14(3), Article 1621.https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031621