Abstract
The influence of popular motion pictures upon the formation of destination perceptions has received some attention in the tourism literature. Previous empirical studies have examined the effects of movies on visitation to places they depict. However, little is known about the specific ways popular motion pictures, as a form of popular culture, influence destination images and other tourism-related perceptions. The study reported here employed an experimental design to assess the extent to which viewing a popular motion picture altered cognitive and affective images of a place it depicted, familiarity with that place, and interest in visiting that place. A conceptual model based on the hypothesized relationships between the variables is presented. The concept of empathic involvement with film characters was explored as a theoretical linkage between movie viewing and perception changes. In addition, a review of literature revealed that several variables which may be significantly related to destination image have not been tested in a unified way. This study, therefore, investigated the relationships between these variables: destination image, destination familiarity, and the reported interest in visiting a destination. The results, in general, indicated that movie viewing affected destination images and interest in visiting the destination. The concept of empathic involvement with film characters as a theoretical linkage was not empirically supported in this study. The data also confirmed the hypothesized relationships between the destination image related variables. Implications of the study pertain to the development of theoretical understandings about the relationships of movies, as a form of popular culture, to destination images. Additionally, marketing implications associated with the relationships between movies and tourism were discussed. In accordance with the study findings, the role of destination perceptions and its subsequent marketing implications were also discussed.
Kim, Hyounggon (2000). Impacts of a popular motion picture on destination images. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2000 -THESIS -K53.