It is agreed that destination image can play a crucial role in tourists’ decision; especially in this digital age as travelers are flood with a huge stream of information. Destination image can be defined as the perceptions of travelers about places on a basis of a few selected impressions among the flood of total impressions (Lopes, 2011). In general, places with strong image can differentiated themselves from competitors more easily and destinations with stronger and more positive image more likely to be chosen at the end of travel planning process. In context of tourism development, unsurprisingly, a great number of research projects concerned with destination image were conducted in recent years to obtained useful information in tourism planning process.
As mentioned above that community is one of the key stakeholders in tourism management, questions should be raised whether the destination image hold by residents of that destination influences any drivers in tourism development. Nickerson and Berry (2014) studied the difference perceived image of Gardiner, Montana, between residents and visitors. Theirs findings indicate that visitors and residents have distinctly difference images of the community. Non-residents were more positive in terms of image than the residents. Residents only had a higher level of image on the variable “Gardiner has unique and rich heritage”
From marketing perspective, Bandyopadyay and Morrais (2005) noted that the conflicting view between the external representation of the destination and the destination image held by the host of community can lead to resentment toward the tourism development. Bramwell and Rawding (1996) also suggested that local residents may be dissatisfied with developments which promote “standardized placeless images” whereas residents are more likely to support efforts that promote the distinctiveness of the place and its local inhabitants.
Schroeder (1996) examines empirical evidence the relation between residents’ place image and their support for tourism by comparing between residents holding more or less positive image of North Dakota as a tourist destination in term of their level of political support for tourism development. The results indicate that residents, who hold a more positive image display higher disposition toward state funding for tourism development, are more likely to recommend North Dakota as a destination to visit, and engage in more trips within the area which is opposite to those holding a less positive image of the destination.
Stylidis et al. (2014) studied the role of residents’ place image and perceived tourism impact towards residents’ support for tourism development. The tested model proposes that residents’ place image affects their perceptions of tourism impacts and in turn their support for tourism development. These findings also stress the importance of exploring place image not only in relation to tourists, as commonly done in tourism literature, but also in the context of the host community.