Title: The influence of motivations on the image of non-hotel tourist accommodation offering

Authors: Sergio Moreno-Gil; Josefa D. Martín-Santana

Addresses: Institute of Tourism and Sustainable Development Economics (TiDES), Business and Tourism Faculty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Building C1.11. 35017, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain ' Business and Tourism Faculty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Building C1.11. 35017, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

Abstract: Accommodation image has been scarcely researched in the literature and is worthy of further investigation. Moreover, to date, no previous studies have analysed non-hotel accommodation image, even when this type of accommodation is the primary offer of some tourist destinations and plays a critical role in the overall perception of the destination. This research aims for a deeper understanding of accommodation image. Thus, after an extensive review of the literature, the aim is to obtain the main dimensions of cognitive image that characterise this product and to analyse how these dimensions affect the overall accommodation image. Finally, this research analyses the influence of motivations on the formation of accommodation image. Tourists motivated by 'fun and prestige' evaluate accommodation image more positively than tourists motivated by 'relaxation, knowledge, and social interaction'. The study highlights the academic and practical implications of these findings.

Keywords: accommodation image; tourist motivation; non-hotel accommodation; apartments; bungalows; tourism marketing; hospitality; tourist accommodation; tourist destinations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2013.054055

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2013 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.59 - 81

Published online: 02 Jul 2014 *

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