Image Formation Process
Abstract
The image formation process has been an area of inquiry for more than 20 years. The process of image formation is intricately entwined with the destination selection process. Understanding the different techniques unitized to form destination images is necessary to developing an image consistent with what a destination has to offer. This paper present a typology of the different image formation agents, describes the process of touristic image formation and provides recommendations for selecting the appropriate image formation mix. It is an attempt to develop a theoretical basis for the touristic image formation process.
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Initial experiences shape favourable attitudes toward the TSMI and the destination, continuing the persuasion mechanisms by further guiding information evaluation.
“These initial experiences shape favourable attitudes (toward the TSMI and the destination), continuing the persuasion mechanisms by further guiding information evaluation (Gartner 1993;Choi et al. 2019).”
From Influencers and the choice of a travel destination: A customer journey and information processing perspective (2025) · cites this paper as Gartner 1993
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- Authors
- Gartner, W. C.
- Affiliations
- University of Minnesota (US)
- Corresponding author
- Gartner, William C.
- Venue
- Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1994-02-09
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 2-3
- Pages
- 191-216
- ISSN
- 1054-8408 (ISSN-L)
- 1540-7306
- OpenAlex
- W2003308666
- Cited by
- 2,267
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 105 · 2025: 97 · 2024: 117 · 2023: 132 · 2022: 131 · 2021: 163 · 2020: 159 · 2019: 132 · 2018: 102 · 2017: 104 · 2016: 122 · 2015: 101 · 2014: 100 · 2013: 105 · 2012: 87
- FWCI
- 22.32
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › European Cultural and National Identity
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Culinary Culture and Tourism
- Keywords
- destination image formation, destination image, tourism promotion, image consistency, destination choice
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