Destination image formation. Case study of the Lena Pillars nature park

Abstract

Tourism is an industry that entirely depends on the people making decision to choose specific destinations based on different motivations.

This research is aimed at investigating the influences that can potentially create a negative effect on the destination image of Lena Pillars Nature Park. It will explore the stages of the destination image within first-time tourists throughout three interviews. The chosen research method was qualitative method, with collecting the data by conducting semi- structures interviews and open-end questionnaires. The findings were presented in three categories of pre-visit image, experience immersion stage and post-image components. The main finding of the study is the expectation of the tourists to come only for one-time visit and therefore build the expectation of receiving the full-time experience all at once.

Keywords: Destination image, destination image formation, pre-visit and post-visit image, overall image, Lena Pillars nature park.