Cultural-Geographic Influences of Destination Images: A Case of Northern Norway

Abstract

This research aims to explore the differences in destination image owing to culture and travel distance among international tourists to northern Norway. A self-administrated survey with a structured questionnaire is deployed at North Cape – the most popular Arctic destination in Northern Norway. Concerning cultural influences on destination images, this study examines the similarities and differences in perceived images among seven cultural groups. For evaluating geographic influences, this study uses six travel regions distinguished by the distance of travel to the study site as the base for the data analysis. Similarities and differences in destination imaged owing to above two factors are revealed by correspondent analyses. For example, Reindeers and Northern Light are the two greatest reflections of Northern Norway in the mind of all respondents. Misconceptions on tourism offerings in the study region transpire among the Japanese. Lastly, this study suggests that the distance of travel may evoke a moderating effect on the destination images. That is the farther the distance traveled the further image distortion exhibited.

Citation

Jensen, Ø., Chen, J.S. and Korneliussen, T. (2015), "Cultural-Geographic Influences of Destination Images: A Case of Northern Norway", Advances in Hospitality and Leisure (Advances in Hospitality and Leisure, Vol. 11), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 3-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1745-354220150000011001