Findings
– The results confirm the strength and robustness of the constructed theoretical model, and contrasting the assumptions made in the work. Likewise, also confirms the validity and adequacy of the proposed new scales of measurement to the current reality of the tourism sector. The principal conclusions obtained are: motivations for visiting a place are influenced by information sources consulted by tourists, among which social media can be included; cognitive image is influenced by travellers’ motivations; and affective image is influenced by cognitive one. From these results, some managerial recommendations are suggested.
Research limitations/implications
– The present study offers important contributions for both researchers and managers in the field of destination brand image management. At theoretical level, the work provides a deep review of the literature, that has permitted the construction of a strong and robust theoretical model, as well as the design and validation of new measurement tools. Both are designed from the rigour and precision that provides scientific research, allowing the understanding and analysis of the current situation of the tourism sector. On the other hand, the work has important implications on a practical level, providing strategic management and travellers destination marketing organization stakeholders.
Originality/value
– This study constitutes an initial, but also newness approach to this line of research. The construction of a theoretical model that: contemplates UGC as information source, and considers the direct and moderating relationships between different variables such as information sources, motivations and the various dimensions of the image.