This study investigates the formation mechanism of autobiographical memory among recreational vehicle travelers by validating the negotiation–inspiration–memory model. Drawing on 358 valid responses collected through a survey in China, the study confirms that intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural constraints significantly influence negotiation. Connectedness to nature and social interaction are identified as antecedents of tourist inspiration. Both negotiation and inspiration positively predict autobiographical memory, with a sense of achievement moderating these relationships. The findings offer theoretical insights into how behavioral and cognitive processes interact to shape memory formation in tourism contexts. The results suggest that marketers and destination managers can enhance memory encoding through targeted interventions such as storytelling prompts, milestone recognition, and immersive social experiences.
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