New Publication in Tourist Image

Archeological Tourist Destination Image Formation: Influence of Information Sources on the Cognitive, Affective and Unique Image

Nuria Huete-Alcocer1, Maria Pilar Martinez-Ruiz2, Víctor Raúl López-Ruiz1 and Alicia Izquiedo-Yusta3*

• 1Department of Spanish and International Economics, Econometrics, History and Economic Institutions, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
• 2Department of Economy and Business Administration, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
• 3Department of Economy and Business Administration, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain

Abstract

A destination’s image is a critical factor in tourists’ perceptions and evaluations of said destination. This paper analyzes the formation of the tourist destination image of Segóbriga Archeological Park, a cultural destination located in the province of Cuenca (Spain) that holds great heritage value. To this end, the paper adopted a multidimensional approach and used PLS-SEM to analyze the destination image, taking into account not only its cognitive and affective components, but also the unique image component. The latter has received less attention in the literature and is a novel factor among cultural destinations. The results show that this component is essential to the overall image of an archeological destination, but is not influenced by information sources.