Emic Interpretations of Global Gaming Destinations: Travel Blog Stories about Experiencing Macau, Las Vegas, and Monaco

Abstract

The study here probes how tourists interpret their unique experiences while traveling in Macau, Las Vegas, and Monaco – well-known “Gambling Meccas.” The study applies one form of brand netnography to collect and analyze information about traveling experience in these three cities. One positive travel blog and one negative are selected and discussed each for Macau, Las Vegas, and Monaco. The study examines the validity of balance theory – a motivational theory of attitude change (Heider, 1958). Balance theory conceptualizes the consistency motive as a drive toward psychological balance (Hokky, S., & Deni, K. (2004). Social balance theory: Revisiting Heider's balance theory for many agents. Departmental Technical Report (Unpublished). The study probes how iconic symbols of brands influence visitors' experience. The findings inform marketing strategic suggestions for Macau, Las Vegas, and Monaco on how to build an effective destination brand and how to improve visitors' traveling experience.

Citation

Lu, D. (2011), "Emic Interpretations of Global Gaming Destinations: Travel Blog Stories about Experiencing Macau, Las Vegas, and Monaco", Woodside, A.G. (Ed.) Tourism Sensemaking: Strategies to Give Meaning to Experience (Advances in Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, Vol. 5), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 111-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1871-3173(2011)0000005009