Destination image research asserts that the enhancement and portrayal of positive tourism image perceptions and expectations are critical in attracting travellers. This has subsequently created a drive by destinations to attempt to assemble an array of high ranked image perceptions and holistic impressions as a central attraction strategy with the hope of stimulating and developing inbound travel. Research conducted on Chinese travellers at Beijing International Airport on their perceptions of Macao's destination image revealed that while they held several high rated image perceptions of Macao, some of these were not the actual image attributes used as destination decision attributes or in their judgment were they attributes that actually stimulated their decision to travel to a destination. Such findings not only have significant implications in the development of an optimum image formation strategy for Macao in its future targeted traveller markets, but also for other locations that wish to enhance or amend their brand image as a destination repositioning approach.
Baloglu, S. and McCleary, K.W. (1999) `A Model of Destination Image Formation', Annals of Tourism Research26: 868-97.
2.
Bennett, R. and Koudelova, R. (2001) `Image Selection and the Marketing of Downtown Areas in London and New York', The International Journal of Public Sector Management14(3): 205-20.
3.
Bramwell, B. and Rawding, L. (1996) `Tourism Marketing Images of Industrial Cities' , Annals of Tourism Research23(1): 201-21.
4.
Chalip, L. , Green, B.C. and Hill, B. (2003)`Effects of Sport Event Media on Destination Image and Intention toVisit',Journal of Sport Management17: 214-34.
5.
Chen, J.S. and Hsu, C.H.C. (2000) `Measurement of Korean Tourists' Perceived Images of Overseas Destinations', Journal of Travel Research38: 411-16.
6.
Choi, W.M., Chan, A. and Wu, J. (1999) `A Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Hong Kong's Image as aTourist Destination', Tourism Management20: 361-5.
Correia,A. and Crouch, G.I. (2004) `Tourist Perceptions Of and Motivations For Visiting the Algarve, Portugal' , Tourism Analysis8: 165-9.
9.
Echtner, M.C. and Ritchie, J.R.B. (1991) `The Meaning and Measurement of Destination Image' , Journal of Tourism Studies2(2): 2-12.
10.
Echtner, M.C. and Ritchie, J.R.B. (1993) `The Measurement of Destination Image:An Empirical Assessment', Journal of Travel Research31(4): 3-13.
11.
Fan,Y. (2006) `Branding the Nation:What is Being Branded?', Journal of Vacation Marketing12(1): 5-14.
12.
Gallarza, M.G., Saura, I.C. and García, H.C. (2002) `Destination Image: Towards a Conceptual Framework' , Annals ofTourism Research29(1): 56-78.
13.
Gartner, W.C. (1993) `Image Formation Process', Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing2(3): 191-212.
14.
Gartner, W.C. (1997) `Image and Sustainable Tourism Systems', pp. 179-96 in S. Wahab and J. J. Pigram (eds) Tourism, Development and Growth. New York: Routledge.
15.
Gunn, C.A. (1972[1988]) Vacationscape - Designing Tourist Regions (2nd Edition). New York : Van Nostrand Remhold.
16.
Gurthie, C. and Thyne, M. (2004) `Destination Image: The Impact of the Interaction Effect between the Visitor and the Destination on Tourist Perceptions', in Conference Proceedings of Tourism State of the Art II , University of Strathclyde, Glasgow , 27-30 June.
17.
Hsu, C.H.C., Wolfe, K. and Kang, S.K. (2004) `Image Assessment for a Destination with Limited Comparative Advantages', Tourism Management25: 121-6.
18.
Kim, S.S. and Morrison, A.M. (2005) `Changes of Images of South Korea among Foreign Tourists after the 2002 FIFA World Cup', Tourism Management26(2): 233-47.
19.
LaPage, W.F. and Cormier, P.L. (1977) `Images of Camping - Barriers to Participation' ,Journal of Travel Research15 (4) : 21-5.
20.
Macao Statistics and Census Service (2007) Tourism Statistics, URL: http://www.dsec.gov.mo/index.asp?src=/english/pub/e_tur_pub.html
21.
Macau Government Tourist Office (2005) `Macau Destination Branding and Challenges', Presentation at the International Conference on Destination Branding and Marketing for RegionalTourism Development, Institute For Tourism Studies , Macao, December 2005.
22.
McCartney, G. (2005a) `Staging Events as a Destination Tourism Development Strategy and the Implications for Macao', pp.143-57 in P. Keller and T. Bieger (eds) Innovation in Tourism - Creating Customer Value, AIEST 55th Congress 2005. St. Gallen, Switzerland: AIEST.
23.
McCartney, G. (2005b) `Casinos as a Tourism Redevelopment Strategy - The Case of Macao', Journal of Macau Gaming Research Association2: 40-54.
24.
McCartney, G. (2005c) `The Impact of the 50th Macao Grand Prix on Macao's Destination Image',International Journal of Event Management Research1(1): 46-65.
25.
Mani, G. and MacInnis, D.J. (2003) `The Role of Imagery Instructions in Facilitating Persuasion in a Consumer Context', pp. 175-87 in L.M. Scott and R. Batra (eds) Persuasive Imagery: A Consumer Response Perspective. London : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publisher.
26.
Pike, S. (2002) `Destination Image Analysis - A Review of 142 Papers from 1973 to 2000', Tourism Management23: 541-9.
27.
Rezende-Parker, A.M., Morrison, A.M. and Ismail, J.A. (2002) `Dazed and Confused? An Exploratory Study of the Image of Brazil as a Travel Destination', Journal of Vacation Marketing9(3): 243-59.
28.
Schneider, I. and Sönmez, S. (1999) `Exploring the Touristic Image of Jordan', Tourism Management2: 539-42.
29.
Selby, M. and Morgan, N.J. (1996) `Reconstruing Place Image. A Case Study of its Role in Destination Market Research', Tourism Management17(4): 287-94.
30.
Sönmez, S. and Sirakaya, E. (2002) `A Distorted Destination Image? The Case of Turkey' , Journal of Travel Research41: 185-96.
31.
Venetian Macau Limited (2007) `The Ultimate Meeting and Convention DestinationAwaits', Promotional Kit, Venetian Macau Limited, Macao SAR, P. R. China.
