Evaluate the role of the media in tourist decision-making.

Assignment Title:

Evaluate the role of the media in tourist decision-making.

Abstract:

In evaluation of the role of the media in tourist decision-making, the concepts of tourism destination image, image formation and destination decision-making are utilised to expatiate with the author's personal experience as an assistant example. The exemplification links the different concepts together sequentially.

Word Count: 1182

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This essay evaluates the role of the media in tourist decision-making. It believes that the media contributes the images which are the interface between the tourist and the destination. Whilst, it also emphasises that media-provided images increase tourists' awareness and create motivation in tourist decision-making progress. Key tourism components of destination image, image formation and destination decision-making are presented to support the notions. To reinforce, the media selected to exemplify the conceptual areas is the film Eight Below (2006), based in Antarctica, which sequentially links the concepts together. Through the example indicated, it is believed that films-produced images enhance tourism opportunities.

RIP 02 April 2010 In memoriam to Dr. Freeman Hall,...

An aerial view of Antarctica. Weddell Sea is the '...

English: Gartner headquarters in Stamford.

Destination image is defined by Hall (2003:105) as 'an evaluation based on perceptions'. As it is known, certain perceptions may be established by tourists prior to their travelling. The perceptions are formed through destination-associated general images, specific images for destinations, and individual driven travel attributes. (Hall, 2003:105) Arrebola (1994 cited in Gallarza, 2001:5) clarifies that image is a mental representation of attributes and benefits sought of an entity. In other words, according to Hall (2003:106-107), not only expectations can be engendered upon certain images, but also impacts exist in tourist destination selection.

Due to the effects of images on prospective markets (Hall, 2003:110), media as a pervasive and invasive part of culture, provides images as the interface between the tourist and the destination and has significant influence on tourist decision making. To be specific, motion picture films become an...