Cognitive Component of the Image of a Rural Tourism Destination as a Sustainable Development Potential

Ksenija Leković, Slavica Tomić, Dražen Marić and Nikola V. Ćurčić
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Ksenija Leković: Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, 24000 Subotica, Serbia
Slavica Tomić: Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, 24000 Subotica, Serbia
Dražen Marić: Faculty of Economics in Subotica, University of Novi Sad, 24000 Subotica, Serbia
Nikola V. Ćurčić: Institute of Agricultural Economics, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-12

Abstract: Sustainable tourism should maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction, so identifying components of tourism destination image plays an important role in destination management and marketing. This study aims to explore issues related to the image of a rural tourism destination, with the focus on the cognitive component. It also aims to analyze three dimensions of the cognitive component: functional, mixed, and psychological. Furthermore, this study gives the answer to the question of which dimension of the cognitive component makes the most significant impact on the general image of a rural tourism destination. The sample comprised 562 respondents. Data analysis included exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicate the existence of three dimensions of the cognitive component, and it can be concluded that the psychological dimension of the cognitive component has the most significant impact on the general image of a rural tourism destination.

Keywords: sustainable development; sustainable tourism development; rural tourism; image of a rural tourism destination; cognitive component; dimensions of the cognitive component (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9413-:d:443782

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