Host-guest relations and destination image: compensatory effects, impression management, and implications for tourism recovery

ABSTRACT

Incidences of negative host-guest interactions have been frequently reported through news and social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of this, the present study examines the exposure of negative information about residents on potential tourists’ evaluations of destination images. The findings show that tourists may offset negativity about residents through the concept of compensatory efforts by providing more favorable judgements to other elements of the destination (e.g. culture and environment). This study contributes by highlighting the dynamics of compensatory efforts and impression management on destination images, which are relevant for promoting destinations when travel and tourism recover from COVID-19.

KEYWORDS:

• Destination image
• tourists
• host-guest relations
• destination marketing
• destination management

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work described in this article was fully supported by a research grant from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Account Code: 1-ZVHS).