Exploring the influence of historical storytelling on cultural heritage tourists’ revisit intention: A case study of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang

The revisit intention of tourists has long been a focal point of academic inquiry. However, there is still insufficient research on the antecedents of revisit intention from the perspectives of historical storytelling, destination image and perceived value. Taking the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a case study, this paper, based on stimulus–organism–response (SOR) theory, examines the impact of historical storytelling on the destination image, perceived value, and revisit intention. Additionally, it further explores the mediating role of destination image and perceived value, as well as the moderating effect of place attachment in this chain. The research findings indicate that: (1) Historical storytelling significantly enhances tourists’ perception of the tourism experience and revisit intention; (2) The study supports the mediating effect of destination image and perceived value; (3) Place attachment has a significant positive moderating effect between historical storytelling and revisit intention. Effective historical storytelling can significantly enhance destination image and perceived value, improve tourists’ participation and satisfaction in tourism, stimulate revisit intention, and promote the sustainable development of tourist destinations. These findings enrich the research content of cultural heritage tourism, providing valuable suggestions for improving the management level of cultural heritage tourism attractions and increasing visitors’ revisit intention.