Proposal
Proposal
The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of tourism advertising on travelers’ perceptions of destinations before, during, and after a trip, with a particular focus on the presence and influence of stereotypes in these perceptions. By investigating how tourists use media when making their travel decisions and whether they perceive the content to be an accurate representation of their destination, the research aims to provide crucial insight into the role of stereotypes in travel marketing and their effect on consumer behavior.
Research Questions
RQ1: What are the most common media forms tourists use to obtain their travel advice?
RQ2: Do tourists obtain their travel information more often from destination branding efforts or non-sponsored, user-generated content?
RQ3a: Do tourists feel as though the content they viewed before traveling to the respective destination accurately reflected the culture?
RQ3b: Do you feel as though you saw stereotyped content about the respective culture before, during, or after your trip?
Source: iStock
Method
Qualitative interviews, averaging about 30-40 minutes, were used as a means of data collection. The study utilized a semi-structured interview guide, which provided a consistent framework across interviews. Probing questions were asked to elicit further elaboration. A qualitative approach was most appropriate for this study because it allowed for a deeper exploration of personal experiences, perceptions, and attitudes toward tourism advertising.
Source: FreePik
Final Project
The intended audience for this project are professionals working in the tourism industry, specifically in the marketing and education sector.
I plan to publish this project’s website and also house it on my online portfolio and Linkedin profile.