Repertory grid analysis: an application to the measurement of destination images

Abstract

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to demonstrate and evaluate the use of repertory grid analysis (RGA) in the context of a study of destination brand images. The study explored the components of destination brand image from a business tourism perspective. RGA was used to identify the constructs used by events managers in a sample of 25 UK organisations to characterise the brand images of 15 UK towns and cities. The study identified eight categories of brand image attribute. Factor analysis reduced these to three higher level dimensions, an overall destination attractiveness dimension and two sub‐dimensions: functionality and ambience. The paper concludes with a discussion of the benefits and limitations of RGA as a technique for measuring destination brand images and argues that it offers significant advantages over alternative techniques with regard to image measurement. Copyright © 2004 Henry Stewart Publications