Destination Images Penetrated by Mega-events

A Behaviorist Study of the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Bibliographic Data

ID12462000
AuthorsKun Lai (0000-0001-6800-1868, ,, corresponding author)
Year2014
Volume20
Issue4
Pages378-398
Publication date2014-04-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAsia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1094-1665 • E-ISSN: 1741-6507
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10941665.2014.904802
OpenAlexW2045545168
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited50

While the penetration effect of mega-events on the hosts' destination images is important, its research has rather been insufficient. This study aims to fill the gap by initiating an in-depth investigation of this effect. Guided by behaviorism rather than introspectionism and psychometrics adopted by previous researchers, the study interviewed 66 tourists visiting Beijing city – the host of the 2008 Summer Olympics – before, during and after the event. The results showed that: (1) elements of the Olympics had penetrated into the core and semi-core of Beijing's destination image; (2) the penetration did vary according to different event elements and event stages; and (3) the penetration was jointly determined by the stimuli the tourists received during the surveys and their complex mental mechanisms (i.e. cognitive matching and attitudinal preference). This research has strengthened the evidence for the penetration effect, explained it systematically and expanded the methodological choices in studying similar topics

Advertising · Beijing · Business · China · Cognition · Geography · Mega · Operations research · Penetration (warfare · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Engineering · Media Influence and Health · Psychology · Social Psychology · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts · Marketing

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