Consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) in the context of an international stopover destination: Perceptions of Dubai in France and Australia

Abstract

There has been limited published research examining travellers’ perceptions of international stopover destinations. This manuscript reports the modelling of consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) for Dubai, the first CBBE study to do so in the context of a stopover destination. Dubai has emerged relatively recently as a stopover destination option during long haul travel between UK/Europe and Australia/South Pacific, to rival traditional destinations such as Hong Kong and Singapore. The CBBE model was tested using survey data from samples of consumers in two geographically distant markets; France (n = 365) and Australia (n = 403). The findings suggest destination brand awareness, destination brand image and destination brand value are positively related to attitudinal destination loyalty. However, destination brand quality was not positively associated with loyalty. As a relatively new stopover destination for long haul travellers, Dubai is perceived more positively by previous visitors than those who have never visited the destination.