Skip to main content

Measuring the Perceived Image of Lithuania Through its Destination Management Organization Website

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2014

Abstract

It is generally acknowledged that the image of a tourist destination plays a significant role in the destination selection process. Consumers, while searching for destination information tend to choose a destination with a strong and favourable image. In order to design appropriate marketing strategies, it is therefore of paramount importance for a destination management organization (DMO) to understand what image exists in the minds of its potential consumers. In addition, it is vital to understand how the perceived image changes, depending on the communication channel being used. The following research aims to investigate how the destination image of Lithuania changed after the exposure to the DMO website. In order to carry out the research, a quasi-experimental design was used. The following research reveals that exposure to the DMO website facilitates change in one’s perception of the destination image, particularly in its cognitive and unique components. The research findings contribute to the improvement of the online marketing strategy of the Lithuania’s DMO.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Baloglu, S., & McCleary, K. W. (1999). A model of destination image formation. Annals of Tourism Research, 26(4), 868–897.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bastis. (2013). Destination: Lithuania. Retrieved February 16, 2013 from http://www.bastis-tourism.info/index.php/Destination:Lithuania.

  • Buhalis, D. (2000). Marketing the competitive destination of the future. Tourism Management, 21(1), 97–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buhalis, D., & Law, R. (2008). Progress in information technology and tourism management: 20 years on and 10 years after the Internet—The state of eTourism research. Tourism Management, 29(4), 609–623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D., & Stanley, J. (1963). Experimental and Quasi-experimental designs for research. Chicago: Rand-McNally.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cho, Y. H., & Fesenmaier, D. R. (2000). A conceptual framework for evaluating effects of a virtual tour. In Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism, 2000, 314–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi, S., Lehto, X. Y., & Morrison, A. M. (2007). Destination image representation on the web: Content analysis of Macau travel related websites. Tourism Management, 28(1), 118–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crompton, J. L. (1979). Motivation for pleasure vacation. Annals of Tourism Research, 6, 408–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinger, A., Koeltringer, C., & Koerbitz, W. (2011). Comparing online destination image with conventional image measurement—the case of Tallinn. In R. Law, M. Fuchs & F. Ricci (Eds.), Information and communication technologies in tourism 2011 (pp. 165–177). Vienna: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Echtner, C. M., & Ritchie, J. B. (1993). The measurement of destination image: An empirical assessment. Journal of Travel Research, 31(4), 3–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Echtner, C. M., & Ritchie, J. B. (2003). The meaning and measurement of destination image. Journal of Tourism Studies, 14(1), 37–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fakeye, P. C., & Crompton, J. L. (1991). Image differences between prospective, first-time, and repeat visitors to the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Journal of Travel Research, 30(2), 10–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gartner, W. C. (1993). Image formation process. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, 2(2/3), 191–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallarza, M. G., Saura, I. G., & García, H. C. (2002). Destination image: Towards a conceptual framework. Annals of Tourism Research, 29(1), 56–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghazali, R. M., & Cai, L. (2013). Social media sites in destination image formation. Tourism Social Science Series, 18, 73–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Govers, R., & Go, F. M. (2005). Projected destination image online: Website content analysis of pictures and text. Information Technology and Tourism, 7(2), 73–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Govers, R., Go, F. M., & Kumar, K. (2007). Virtual destination image a new measurement approach. Annals of Tourism Research, 34(4), 977–997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gretzel, U., Fesenmaier, D. R., & O’Leary, J. T. (2006). The transformation of consumer behaviour. In D. Buhalis & C. Costa (Eds.), Tourism business frontiers: Consumers, products and industry (pp. 9–18). Burlington: Elsevier.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gunn, C. (1972). Vacations cape: Designing tourist regions. Austin: Bureau of Business Research, University of Texas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, J. D. (1975). Image as a factor in tourism development. Journal of Travel Research, 13, 1–7. Winter.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inversini, A., Cantoni, L., & Buhalis, D. (2009). Destinations’ information competition and web reputation. Information Technology and Tourism, 11(3), 221–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacKay, K. J., & Fesenmaier, D. R. (1997). Pictorial element of destination in image formation. Annals of Tourism Research, 24(3), 537–565.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pike, S. (2002). Destination image analysis—a review of 142 papers from 1973 to 2000. Tourism Management, 23(5), 541–549.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • San Martin, H., & Rodríguez del Bosque, I. A. (2008). Exploring the cognitive–affective nature of destination image and the role of psychological factors in its formation. Tourism Management, 29(2), 263–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tasci, A. D., & Gartner, W. C. (2007). Destination image and its functional relationships. Journal of Travel Research, 45(4), 413–425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Um, S., & Crompton, J. L. (1990). Attitude determinants in tourism destination choice. Annals of Tourism Research, 17(3), 432–448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiang, Z., Gretzel, U., & Fesenmaier, D. R. (2009). Semantic representation of tourism on the Internet. Journal of Travel Research, 47(4), 440–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roman Egger .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Dragova, S., Petrovskaya, K., Egger, R. (2013). Measuring the Perceived Image of Lithuania Through its Destination Management Organization Website. In: Xiang, Z., Tussyadiah, I. (eds) Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2014. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03973-2_49

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics