Evaluation of the image of a coastal tourism destination in Brazil

Abstract

Purpose

In order to offer a theoretical and empirical contribution to the theme, the purpose of this paper is to assess the tourist image of the destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from the tourists’ perspective. The authors specify the latent dimensions involved in the formation of the cognitive, affective, and conative image of coastal tourism destination, through which the authors can analyze and measure the construct.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is exploratory, descriptive, and predominantly quantitative. It uses non-probability convenience sampling, consisting of a sample of 425 tourists. Data collection were conducted in the studied destination during the summer season – 2015/2016.

Findings

Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the authors identified and tested the factors that comprise the image. Structural equation model evaluated the relationship that theoretically exists between the components of the image and the weight of the various components (cognitive, affective, and conative) on the overall image of the destination.

Originality/value

This research contributes theoretically and empirically to the discussions on the components of the destination image, in as much as it analyzes and interprets the cognitive, affective, and conative components of the image of the tourism destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Citation

Anjos, F.A.d., Pereira, M.d.L. and Tennenberg, F.F.P.V. (2017), "Evaluation of the image of a coastal tourism destination in Brazil", International Journal of Tourism Cities, Vol. 3 No. 4, pp. 324-338. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-09-2016-0032