The Impact of Information Overload on Preferences for Tourism Information Media

Abstract

In the context of widespread mobile internet and smart device adoption, tourism information dissemination has entered an “all-media era.” While offering convenience, information overload poses significant challenges to tourists, exceeding their processing capacity and leading to cognitive confusion, reduced decision-making efficiency, and negative emotional responses. Through qualitative analysis and systematic literature review, this study examines how information overload influences tourists’ media selection preferences, emphasizing the mediating role of source credibility and platform trust mechanisms. Findings indicate that overload not only heightens cognitive and emotional strain but also indirectly drives users toward more authoritative and transparent media sources. Platforms can mitigate these effects through information simplification, trust-building features, and user education. This research provides theoretical and practical insights for designing more trustworthy and efficient tourism information environments.