International Journal of Business and Social Science Vol. 6, No. 2; February 2015 53 Benefit Perceived by Tourists. Role of the Hospitality Offered by the Tourist Destination Enrique Marinao Artigas Doctor en Ciencias Empresariales Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. España Especialidad: Marketing Profesor Departamento de Administración Facultad de Administración y Economía Universidad de Santiago de Chile Coro Chasco Doctora en Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales Especialidad Modelización Aplicada. Profesora Departamento de Economía Aplicada Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. España Víctor Valencia Pozo Candidato a DoctorPor la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. España Especialidad: Marketing Profesor Departamento de Administración Facultad de Administración y Economía Universidad de Santiago de Chile Abstract The aim of this study is to test the relationship between the functional benefit, symbolic benefit and affective evaluation as antecedent of the hedonic benefit and consequence of cognitive perception. The aim is to test the mediating effect of hedonic benefit as an antecedent of tourist satisfaction. This objective seeks to achieve, through a methodology which includes developing scales with a degree of content validity and analyze its psychometric properties. A survey of 750 people was conducted using a non-probability sampling based on quotas, in proportion to destinations visited in Chile. The results show a significant mediating effect on hedonic benefit on tourist satisfaction. The study provides the different stakeholders of the tourist destination with relevant decision making information relevant for tourism marketing in order to provide the desired satisfaction for the tourist. Keywords: tourism,benefits, perception, mediation, hospitality 1. Introduction One of the most important factors in materializing the relationship between tourists and touristic destinations for the tourism industry is satisfaction. In fact, achieving this satisfaction will depend on their recommendation and or return to the place (Yuksel and Yuksel, 2007). This link is absolutely relevant because it generates affective, cognitive and conative loyalty towards the place (Yuksel, Yuksel and Bilim, 2008). From this perspective, some studies analyze different sources that generate satisfaction that is inherent to the tourist (Gallarza and Saura, 2006) and to the place’s environment (Chi and Qu, 2008). This being said, these inherent or environmental components are still tourists' perceptions. In this sense, on the one hand, it has been argued that cognitive perception, affective evaluation, functional benefit, hedonist benefit and symbolic benefit build the image of a tourist destination and this image influences tourist satisfaction (Chen and Tsai, 2007). On the other hand, tourist’s perceived value at the destination (Chen and Tsay, 2007), and perceived quality of the services offered may also influence their satisfaction (Bigné, Sánchez and Sánchez, 2001).