Determinants of destination image and intentions to visit: A conceptual framework

• Main Authors: Maddin, K., Rashid, Basri, Zainol, Noor Azimin
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: G Geography (General)
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/13291/1/8.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/13291/; http://www.thic-uum.com/
• Institution: Universiti Utara Malaysia

Image of a product or service is an important factor in the selection choices related to a product, service, place or a person.Therefore, in the context of tourism, the destination image is a very important factor in the choice of destinations by the tourist.Echtner & Richie (1991) explain that it is not a single source that is responsible for the formation of destination image but several.This study plans to review literature on the determinants of destination image and plans to come up with a conceptual framework to test the significance of various individual factors in the image formulation. Literature review suggests that the destination image positively influences the intention to visit and that it is critical to develop positive destination image to increase the number of tourists and their tourism related consumption. Based on previous literature, this study finds that internal motivation of the tourist, external motivation in the form of attractions at the destination, word of mouth and perceived travel risk are the potentially strong determinants of destination image and consequent tourists‘ intention to visit a destination.