Analyzing Printed Media Travelogues: Means and Purposes with Reference to Framing Destination Image

Abstract

Travelogues have long been recognized as a useful resource for travel literature, destination image creation and promotion, geography learning, and tourism education. However, the selection criteria and analytical framework of travelogues are under-researched. Image creation is itself a product of framing (i.e., selection and emphasis of certain attributes while omitting others). Therefore, it is important for stakeholders to understand this framing process in order to gain an in-depth and objective appreciation of destination image formation. As a conceptual framework, this article proposes criteria for analyzing travelogues published in newspapers and magazines that are supposed to create favorable destination imagery while simultaneously providing readers with information about destination attributes through vicarious travel. It also presents a framework to aid extraction of objective and balanced information from travelogues that may be of use to destination marketing organizations. Excerpts from 200 travel stories are used to explain the analytical results.