Title: Using the lens of Flickr to decode emic meanings about the impact of Hurricane Sandy on a tourism destination: the Jersey Shore

Authors: Lori Pennington-Gray; Svetlana Stepchenkova; Ashley Schroeder

Addresses: Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, University of Florida, P.O. Box 118208, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA ' Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, University of Florida, P.O. Box 118208, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA ' Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, University of Florida, P.O. Box 118208, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA

Abstract: While many individuals share information on social media sites, a paucity of research examines the use of photo sharing social media sites during a crisis. Recently, user-generated content on the internet has been a forum for a variety of audiences to post and share their experiences during a crisis. Flickr offers one way to communicate emic meanings about crises. This study compares images of Hurricane Sandy posted by professionals and laypersons and identifies statistical differences across several dimensions. Findings show that professional photos tend to include more images relating to government or NGO response to the crisis; while laypersons tend to feature more environmental impacts.

Keywords: Flickr; emic meanings; Hurricane Sandy; tourism destinations; Jersey Shore; hurricanes; USA; United States; photo sharing; social media sites; user-generated content; photographs; photography; emergency response; crisis response; disaster impact; government response; NGO response; environmental impact.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTA.2015.067636

International Journal of Tourism Anthropology, 2015 Vol.4 No.1, pp.89 - 109

Received: 14 Jun 2013
Accepted: 11 Feb 2014
Published online: 18 Mar 2015 *

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