Impact Of Visitation On Destination Ima

Impact of Visitation on Destination Image:
Examination of Chinese tourists visiting New York City

Yiying He
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Purdue University, USA
And
Jonathon Day
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Purdue University, USA

INTRODUCTION

Throughout the years, numerous studies have demonstrated that destination image has significant influence on tourist behavior. In the process of traveling decision making, tourists are more appeal to destination with positive, clear and strong images. (Echtner
& Ritchie, 1991; Tasci & Gartner, 2007; Tasci, 2009) Different levels of impact on consumer buying process are inserted by various types, components and dimensions of destination image. (Tasci & Gartner, 2007) At the same time, destination image modification will take place when tourists are experiencing their visit. (Chon, 1991)

Considerable amount of efforts have been laid on examining the issues related to destination image and consumer behavior, including studies on influence of past experience on destination image (Pearce, 1982; Chon, 1991; Fakeye & Crompton, 1991;
Young, 1999), destination image’s effect on consumer behavior prior to the visit (Court &
Lupton, 1997; Chen & Hsu, 2000; Leisen, 2001), during the visit (Ross, 1993) and post visit (Ross, 1993; Rittichainuwat et al., 2001). However, limited information is available on how different types and channels of information that formed people’s destination image insert impacts on different stages of consumer buying process. Thus, further exploration is needed although the broader theme has already been heavily researched.
Moreover, destination image at a specific time to a specific market has to be investigated and captured for more effective use of resource in marketing and other destination

management decisions (Tasci, 2007). Studying a potentially significant market segment of a highly popular destination could provide salient industrial implications in practicing destination marketing. In US,

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