Perspectives and reviews in the use of narrative strategies for communicating fake news in the tourism industry

Abstract

Abstract In this article we review research from the past decade that explores how elements of communication from social media and press articles influence the decision making for choosing a travel destination. ‘Fake news’ has the potential to impact opinions, expectations and behaviour of tourism consumers. Perceived as an important threat to modern democratic societies, the course of intentional false data dissemination is able to disrupt perception and throughout the normal functioning of state institutions and private companies. Hence, manipulation of information shapes differently the image of tourism destinations, accommodation units, cruise ships and even tourist attractions mostly in order to produce higher economic benefits. Unfortunately, sometimes ‘fake news’ spreading could be detrimental to tourist destinations and operators. In order to pursue, cope, absorb and adjust threats related to ‘fake news’, we will use and approach in a later work the aspects regarding a ‘societal resilience’