Tourist perceptions of factors influencing destination image: a case study of selected Kimberley resorts.

Destination image is the sum of perceptual beliefs, knowledge, affective feeling, and total impression that a visitor holds about a particular destination, and it plays a critical role in determining purchase decisions in the destination-choice process, and the attractiveness of a destination. In or...

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Main Author: Rene Haarhoff
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AfricaJournals 2018-08-01
Series:African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_27_vol_7_4__2018.pdf
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spelling doaj-a6664f8b41c74e2dba023ae4451df87d2020-11-24T21:29:52ZengAfricaJournalsAfrican Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure2223-814X2018-08-0174Tourist perceptions of factors influencing destination image: a case study of selected Kimberley resorts.Rene Haarhoff0Head of Department: Tourism & Event Management Central University of Technology, Free StateDestination image is the sum of perceptual beliefs, knowledge, affective feeling, and total impression that a visitor holds about a particular destination, and it plays a critical role in determining purchase decisions in the destination-choice process, and the attractiveness of a destination. In order for a destination or resort to be differentiated from its competitors, destination management must have a correlative perception and image of quality, as the consumer does. The formation of image is determined by the attributes or characteristics a destination has to offer, and by the exposition of information the tourist receives about a destination. These factors are known as the external factors. Image formation is also influenced by personal factors like motivation, past experiences, attitudes and expectations, which are known as internal factors. Tourist destination images are important because they influence the decision- making behaviour of potential tourists. A good perception leads to a positive destination image, leads tourist satisfaction – which in turn results in destination loyalty. The aim of this research was to determine whether the perception of the resorts has an influence on the visitation levels of the resorts. The resorts have reported consecutive years of low visitation and profit levels. A questionnaire was used to collect data from visitors to resorts. Unfortunately, the results indicate the visitors perceived the overall satisfaction as well the experience of staying at the resort as being average to poor. In order to ensure sustainability of the resort, it is suggested that resort management focus on improvement of resort’s image.https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_27_vol_7_4__2018.pdfdestination imagedestination choiceKimberleyresortstourist perception
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Rene Haarhoff
spellingShingle Rene Haarhoff
Tourist perceptions of factors influencing destination image: a case study of selected Kimberley resorts.
African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
destination image
destination choice
Kimberley
resorts
tourist perception
author_facet Rene Haarhoff
author_sort Rene Haarhoff
title Tourist perceptions of factors influencing destination image: a case study of selected Kimberley resorts.
title_short Tourist perceptions of factors influencing destination image: a case study of selected Kimberley resorts.
title_full Tourist perceptions of factors influencing destination image: a case study of selected Kimberley resorts.
title_fullStr Tourist perceptions of factors influencing destination image: a case study of selected Kimberley resorts.
title_full_unstemmed Tourist perceptions of factors influencing destination image: a case study of selected Kimberley resorts.
title_sort tourist perceptions of factors influencing destination image: a case study of selected kimberley resorts.
publisher AfricaJournals
series African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
issn 2223-814X
publishDate 2018-08-01
description Destination image is the sum of perceptual beliefs, knowledge, affective feeling, and total impression that a visitor holds about a particular destination, and it plays a critical role in determining purchase decisions in the destination-choice process, and the attractiveness of a destination. In order for a destination or resort to be differentiated from its competitors, destination management must have a correlative perception and image of quality, as the consumer does. The formation of image is determined by the attributes or characteristics a destination has to offer, and by the exposition of information the tourist receives about a destination. These factors are known as the external factors. Image formation is also influenced by personal factors like motivation, past experiences, attitudes and expectations, which are known as internal factors. Tourist destination images are important because they influence the decision- making behaviour of potential tourists. A good perception leads to a positive destination image, leads tourist satisfaction – which in turn results in destination loyalty. The aim of this research was to determine whether the perception of the resorts has an influence on the visitation levels of the resorts. The resorts have reported consecutive years of low visitation and profit levels. A questionnaire was used to collect data from visitors to resorts. Unfortunately, the results indicate the visitors perceived the overall satisfaction as well the experience of staying at the resort as being average to poor. In order to ensure sustainability of the resort, it is suggested that resort management focus on improvement of resort’s image.
topic destination image
destination choice
Kimberley
resorts
tourist perception
url https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_27_vol_7_4__2018.pdf
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