Core-periphery structure of destination image: Concept, Evidence and Implication

This study aims to test whether core-periphery structure (C/PS), a widely practiced and important form of structure, exists in tourist destination image (TDI). Past tourism research has identified three-dimensional and causal-networking structures of TDI, but generally fails to recognize C/PS as an alternative. This study develops a conceptual model of C/PS of TDI via a synthesis of existing works on structure, structuralism, and C/PS. Testing the model, quantitatively and qualitatively in the context of Beijing city, demonstrates that TDI can be core-peripherally structured. This alternative TDI structure expands existing perspectives in understanding the structures of TDI, offers useful tools for destination image management, and highlights the complex, pluralistic and constructed nature of mental structures.

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► Proposing a conceptual model of C/PS of TDI based on works of structure, structuralism, and C/PS.
► Empirically justifying this model in the context of Beijing city during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
► The core concept of “structure” holds the key to solve the structure debates of TDI.
► The structure debates can be a “false problem”, if the constructed nature of mental structures is considered.
► The (re)structuring of TDI shall remain as an ongoing project.