Integrating Cognitive Appraisal Theory with the transmission model of inspiration, this paper investigates the tourist inspiration-eliciting process in the context of wellness tourism. A questionnaire survey (N = 974) was provided to wellness tourists in Shizhu county, China, with findings revealing the motivations of wellness tourists positively influence goal relevance and goal congruence. Goal congruence led to the elicitation of inspiration, which could be separated into two stages of inspired-by and inspired-to. Tourist inspiration was found to diminish as frequency of visitation increased. This research provides conceptual clarity surrounding the intricate connection between motivations and tourist inspiration.