Abstract
Studies on tourism destination images have traditionally been based on the measurement of consumers' cognitive images of destinations. Few have examined the images of destinations conveyed by media texts to determine how they are likely to influence consumer perceptions. Therefore the purpose of the study is to identify and to analyse mediated image constructs of Caribbean destinations and their holiday experiences in order to clarify their relationship to consumer responses. In pursuing this goal, this thesis examines how these images have been constructed in newspaper narratives to determine the meanings of these constructs and to interrogate the representational practices of the UK press of Caribbean destinations. A tripartite schema of landscape, local people and activities was identified as the main classification of mediated tourism destination images (TDI) and this framework was used to conduct content and discourse analyses of newspaper stories published on these destinations in the Sunday editions of the UK national newspapers in 2000. The findings of this study show a pattern of image constructs that featured the dominance of landscape attributes and recreational modes of seeing and experiencing Caribbean destinations. The prevalence and dominance of these stereotypes were demonstrated by the similarity of image constructs of the destinations across the various segments of the UK national newspapers. It was found that the shared news values and culture of the UK media reflect dominant epistemologies of Caribbean destinations in terms of the 'Other'. However, it was argued that these stereotypical images lack symbolic resonance and appeal and as such may be reducing brand identity and competitiveness of these destinations as well as devaluing the Caribbean holiday experience. In proposing a tourism destination image media matrix as a heuristic model that links functional and enactive imagery to low elaboration/involvement responses and affective and holistic imagery to high elaboration/involvement, this study presents clarification on the role of mediated images as key determinants of consumer perceptions and responses.