Rethinking destination image formation

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to contribute to conceptualization of destination image (DI) and shed light on the overlooked socio-cultural aspects of tourism along with recent technological changes. It endeavours to develop a framework to conceptualize DI formation considering socio-cultural, political, historical and technological influences. Design/methodology/approach – Unlike the orthodoxy in tourism research, tourism phenomenon is approached from a wider social science perspective. To cast light on the progress in DI research, a critical literature review is followed by evaluation of the well-known DI formation frameworks in tourism literature. Seminal articles, cornerstones of DI studies, are critically discussed in this paper. While stressing the prominence of these studies, their shortcomings are also examined. Findings – The paper introduces a novel framework of DI formation that helps bring DI research further through a wider socio-cultural perspective. The framework incorporates holistic characteristics of DI and the contemporary technological environment. Originality/value – This paper proposes a nuanced and more holistic understanding of DI. While most of the previous studies overlooked socio-cultural, historical, political, economic and technological factors, they have been explicitly addressed in the framework proposed in this paper.

Affective and cognitive dimensions of ski destination images. The case of Norway and the Lillehammer region

“…Several studies underline how past experiences with a destination imply that the cognitive domain tends to dominate destination images, and that the affective domain is more prominent in the destination image of those without prior experience (Alba & Hutchinson, 1987;Beerli & Martin, 2004;Sirgy & Su, 2000). Former studies have also emphasized that geographical and cultural distance may influence destination images strongly in the sense that cognitive dimensions become more noticeable the greater the proximity is, whereas a generalist's approach that often implies the dominance of affective domains seems to be prominent when people live further away (Huang, Chen, & Lin, 2013;Jensen etal., 2015;Kislali, Kavaratzis, & Saren, 2016;Obenour, Lengfelder, & Groves, 2005). In the present case, former visits did not affect the score on cognitive dimensions in the respondent's images of the Lillehammer region as a destination.…”

Destination image formation: Towards a holistic approach

“…Figure incorporates established ideas found in the literature and suggestions stemming from our study. It is more elaborate, more precise, and a clearer version of the Kislali et al () framework. It contains a greater level of detail compared, for instance, with Baloglu and McCleary () or Gartner ().…”

“…However, the criticism is often raised that holistic views are overlooked in empirical research (e.g., Ateljevic & Doorne, ; Ek Styvén et al, ; Kim & Chen, ). Kislali, Kavaratzis, and Saren () endorse this criticism and emphasize the importance of seeing destination image as a holistic construct rather than a total of individual attributes, adding that several socio‐cultural factors need further elaboration. Additionally, Kladou and Mavragani (:188) assert that “more effort is required in order to explore the multidimensional nature of destination image and the importance of each image dimension as recognized by tourists in the digital era.” Although there is a burgeoning literature on social media and the internet (e.g., Xiang & Gretzel, ; Zeng & Gerritsen, ), the role of the online world needs further investigation.…”

“…Additionally, Kladou and Mavragani (:188) assert that “more effort is required in order to explore the multidimensional nature of destination image and the importance of each image dimension as recognized by tourists in the digital era.” Although there is a burgeoning literature on social media and the internet (e.g., Xiang & Gretzel, ; Zeng & Gerritsen, ), the role of the online world needs further investigation. Kislali et al () propose a more holistic framework of destination image formation that also integrates socio‐cultural factors and the role of technology, attempting to go beyond the distinction of elements. Considering the Kislali et al () framework closer to a holistic approach to destination image formation, we used it to guide our empirical investigation (as also done by Ek Styvén et al, ).…”

“…incorporates established ideas found in the literature and suggestions stemming from our study. It is more elaborate, more precise, and a clearer version of theKislali et al (2016) framework. It con-…”