China in the Eyes of Western Travelers as Represented in Travel Blogs

Keywords

destination image, travel blogs, bloggers, China

Abstract

Travel blogs provide a new way of understanding consumers' perceptions on destination and its associated products. The purpose of this study was to examine international tourists' destination image of China as represented in travel blog discourse. Data were obtained from blog entries relating to trips to China posted on three dominant travel blog websites. Content analysis facilitated by Atlas.ti 6.0 was performed on a total of 89 China-related travel blogs. The study identified the most frequently discussed aspects of tourists' experiences in China. The results also indicated that the blog authors had mixed and paradoxical images of China as identified by previous research. Marketing implications for China's tourism development based on the results were discussed.

Publication Date

10-17-2011

Original Citation

Li, X., and Wang, Y.C. (2011). China in the Eyes of Western Travelers as Represented in Travel Blogs. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. 28, 689-719.

Number of Pages

689-719

Document Type

Paper

Language

English

Source Title

Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing

Volume

28

Issue

7

College

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Location

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

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