Images of Israel

Abstract

A multidimensional analysis of Jewish youth tour participants’ responses to symbols of Israel identified four types of destination images: spiritual, Zionist, pragmatic/mundane and home. Their responses are analyzed along national, gender, denominational and ethnic lines. Two main groupings were found: those indicating a strongly spiritual and religious view of Israel and those indicating a more diverse image of daily life in the modern State of Israel. The strongest influence on destination image appears to be country of residence. Differential influences are related to the host culture, educational system and relative exposure to ‘complex’ destination images from past personal experience.